Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelled to Saudi Arabia on Friday as part of an unannounced two day visit to the Gulf that will also include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The trip comes amid rising regional tensions and growing concerns over energy security following Iranian attacks across parts of the Gulf.
Meloni arrived in Jeddah for the first visit by a European Union leader to Saudi Arabia since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in February. She is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Officials said the visit is aimed at demonstrating support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks while safeguarding Italy’s own energy supplies. Rome is also expected to confirm continued investment by Italian energy majors, including Eni, in Gulf energy projects. Italy is already supplying defensive weapons to Gulf partners and remains open to considering further requests, the official added.
Before the conflict, Qatar supplied about 10 percent of Italy’s gas consumption, while oil from West Asia accounted for roughly 12 percent of Italy’s total oil imports last year. However, Italy was recently notified that a Gulf supplier had extended a pause in LNG deliveries due to risks linked to the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, 10 LNG cargoes scheduled between April and mid June will not be shipped. Iranian attacks have also affected regional production. QatarEnergy’s chief executive said last month that strikes had knocked out 17 percent of Qatar’s LNG export capacity.
