The trip highlights deepening Italy-UAE ties, driven by trade growth, major Emirati investments and expanding strategic cooperation.
What’s happening: President Mattarella will start the mission in Abu Dhabi for talks with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- He will then travel to Dubai to meet Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and members of Italy’s business community.
- The delegation includes Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli.
Why it matters: The visit underscores the rapid normalisation — and expansion — of Italy-UAE relations after a period of strain linked to the Yemen war in 2021.
- Ties have accelerated under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with roughly 30 ministerial visits to the UAE and three visits by Meloni herself.
- Abu Dhabi is now a central economic and strategic partner for Rome across energy, defence, investment and advanced industry.
By the numbers:
- Bilateral trade has doubled since 2021.
- Trade volume is expected to reach €9 billion in 2025.
- Italy’s main exports include consumer goods and mechanical products, alongside growing industrial partnerships.
Flashback:
- In February 2025, President Mohammed bin Zayed paid a state visit to Rome alongside the Italy-UAE Economic Forum.
- The UAE pledged $40 billion in investments in Italy and signed more than 40 agreements spanning the economy, defence, energy, space, and cultural heritage.
- Mattarella last visited Abu Dhabi in 2022 to pay respects following the death of former president Khalifa bin Zayed.
Zoom out: Beyond economics, political coordination is gaining weight as the UAE expands its external footprint — particularly in the Middle East and Africa — to safeguard national security and strategic interests.
- For Italy, the partnership fits a broader push to anchor its foreign policy more firmly in the Gulf and the wider Indo-Mediterranean space.
What’s next: Expect further announcements on investment follow-ups and sectoral cooperation as Rome and Abu Dhabi consolidate what both sides now frame as a long-term strategic partnership.
