In just 48 hours, Rome hosted two high-level events that reflect the growing partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia:
Why it matters: The signing of a judicial cooperation protocol and the Saudi-Italian Business Forum. Their simultaneity signals a deliberate effort to elevate bilateral relations.
Context: Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as one of Italy’s main partners in the Middle East. A shared strategy has been in place for months to strengthen ties across multiple levels, including institutional, economic, cultural, and regulatory.
Details:
- October 22: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio met with his Saudi counterpart, Waleed bin Mohammed al-Smaani, to sign a bilateral judicial cooperation protocol.
- “We view the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Italy from a strategic perspective, which naturally includes collaboration in the field of justice,” said the Saudi Minister after the meeting.
- “We hope that following today’s signing, we can further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the judicial sector.”
- Minister Nordio, accepting the official invitation to visit Saudi Arabia, added: “Mutual understanding is the best way to strengthen our collaboration. The exchange of ideas is not only an exchange of information but also of sentiments.”
- October 23: Rome hosted the Saudi-Italian Business Forum, bringing together government and business leaders from both countries.
- The focus was on tourism, design, e-commerce, mobility, and technology.
- The forum is part of a series of bilateral meetings aimed at boosting industrial and economic cooperation, with innovation, investment opportunities and corporate partnerships topping the agenda.
What’s behind it? Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Al Ula in January 2024 marked a turning point, with the signing of 26 agreements worth over € 10 billion. The partnership extends to:
- Green hydrogen and clean energy projects
- Industrial cooperation
- Joint initiatives (in Africa, e.g., with Mattei Plan)
- Development of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC).
What we’re watching:
- Will Rome and Riyadh formalise a permanent consultation mechanism?
- Can judicial cooperation foster the trust needed for long-term investment?
- Will this partnership become a regional model of multi-layered cooperation?
