US EditionItaly's Meloni Visits Gulf to Discuss Energy Security with Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar
Meloni will meet Gulf leaders to expand energy ties as Italy seeks to curb import costs and offset disruptions from the Middle East war.
- On Friday, April 3, 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a surprise visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to boost "national energy security" amid the Middle East conflict.
- Meloni seeks to protect supplies as Iranian drone and missile strikes target Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, all critical to Italy's energy infrastructure.
- Rome has deployed aerial defenses to help defend against Iranian strikes, while Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti announced $577 million in fuel tax cuts to mitigate energy costs.
- The two-day tour aims to deepen partnerships with the three Gulf nations as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to disrupt global markets and threaten critical infrastructure.
- With about 12 per cent of Italy's energy imports coming from the Middle East, the government is diversifying supplies, including efforts to increase natural gas imports from Algeria.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Italy's Prime Minister Meloni has arrived for an unannounced visit to Saudi Arabia.
This is the first leader of a member of the European Union or NATO to visit the region since the beginning of the war.
Italian PM begins visit to Saudi Arabia on Gulf tour
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday as part of a Gulf tour to boost "national energy security", a government source said, as the Middle East war rages. Meloni began her unannounced trip in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, the source said, adding that she was the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to visit the region since the war began on February 28. The source said the far-right …
It is the first visit by a Western leader to the region since the outbreak of the war in Iran.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Djeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a tournament in the Gulf region with a view to "building national energy security", announced his office, transmitted ANSA and AFP. The tournament, which was not announced in advance, includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
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