Why it matters: Following recent strategic moves with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, Italy is formalising a partnership with Bahrain that blends business, diplomacy, and security.
- Rome is consolidating its position as a key European player in the Gulf region.
Investment and business. A Strategic Investments and Collaboration Partnership was signed, with an estimated value exceeding €1 billion.
- Objective: to boost trade, industrial exchange, and technological cooperation.
Energy and environment: Partnership on energy transition, security, and technology neutrality.
- Focus areas include water management, waste-to-energy, research and development, and public–private collaboration.
Infrastructure and smart cities: Cooperation in construction, urban planning, and transport.
- Concrete opportunities for Italian companies in Bahrain’s development projects.
Food security: Agreement to strengthen the agro-food supply chain and increase Bahrain’s self-sufficiency.
- Focus on research, innovation, agricultural development, and institutional cooperation.
Space: Memorandum of Understanding between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Bahrain Space Agency on space sciences and applications.
- Joint initiatives in knowledge-sharing, training, and collaborative research.
Trade and customs: Implementation of the bilateral customs agreement signed in February.
- Establishment of a joint technical committee to streamline trade flows.
Politics and regional dynamics:
- Middle East: support for the two-state solution, call for a ceasefire in Gaza, release of hostages, and unfreezing of Palestinian funds.
- Syria: backing for reconstruction and the voluntary return of refugees in coordination with UN agencies.
- Iran: call for full compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty and renewed diplomatic negotiations.
- Ukraine: commitment to a just and lasting peace.
The bottom line: The Meloni government continues to pursue a pragmatic, multi-level economic diplomacy. The agreement with Bahrain adds another building block to Italy’s long-term Gulf strategy.
- A senior diplomatic source described the relationship Giorgia Meloni is building with the Gulf region as “brilliant.”
What we’re watching: Italy is a frontline in strengthening the EU–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) channel.
- Bahrain will assume the GCC presidency in December; the next EU–GCC Summit will occur in Riyadh in 2026.
