Mission in the Gulf. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrapped up her one-and-a-half-day mission in Abu Dhabi earlier today, marking a significant step in Italy’s strategic engagements in the Gulf region.
- The visit, which included high-level discussions at the Sustainability Week, culminated in a trilateral agreement on renewable energy with the UAE and Albania.
- Accompanying Meloni were Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida.
- Her visit also included a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the growing strategic ties between the two nations.
Italy as an energy hub. In her keynote address at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Meloni underscored the pivotal role of energy infrastructure in sustainable development.
- “If we want to make energy transition concrete and sustainable, we must ensure it is complemented with adequate infrastructures,” she emphasized.
- Meloni highlighted Italy’s ambition to become a hub for energy flows between Europe and Africa and outlined the Mattei Plan’s focus on fostering energy cooperation with African nations.
Renewables powering Mediterranean ties. The trilateral agreement focuses on installing wind, solar, and hybrid energy plants in Albania, with a significant portion of electricity to be transmitted to Italy.
- This initiative strengthens bilateral ties and underscores Italy’s pivotal position in Mediterranean energy dynamics.
- Enel, Italy’s leading energy company, was among the key corporate players present, represented by CEO Flavio Cattaneo.
- Enel’s involvement underscores its commitment to expanding renewable energy capacities globally, evidenced by recent collaborations with Masdar in Spain and now in the UAE-Albania partnership.
A packed diplomatic calendar. Prime Minister Meloni’s diplomatic engagements are set to continue frenetically, with potential high-profile meetings on the horizon.
- Notably, there is speculation she might attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, following a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month.
- Such a visit would elevate Italy’s positioning in transatlantic relations, particularly if Meloni met Trump in the Oval Office before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer—a break from traditional US-UK precedence.
- While some Italian sources view this as unlikely due to long-standing diplomatic protocols, the invitation highlights the Italian leader’s growing profile on the global stage.
In the Middle East. Meloni is expected to visit Riyadh for her first in-person meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- This meeting, previously postponed due to Meloni’s past critiques of Saudi policies, is now back on the agenda, signalling a thaw in relations.
- Additionally, plans for a brief stop in Bahrain demonstrate Italy’s intent to deepen ties across the Arabian Peninsula.
Closer to home… Meloni will join a long-scheduled intergovernmental summit in Serbia to engage with President Aleksandar Vučić to counter Russian influence in the Balkans.
- The prime minister also remains active in EU affairs, with an informal European Council meeting in Brussels on February 3 focused on defence cooperation.
