Why it matters. Rome is strengthening Italy’s position in the region, increasingly defining the balance of energy, connectivity and security between Europe and the broader Mediterranean.
- The Gulf is redefining its global role.
- Italy wants to position itself as a stable, credible, long-term partner.
- Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait are becoming central pillars of Rome’s outreach.
What Meloni is saying. “If we want to seize the potential of our shared geopolitical space fully, we need a more structured dialogue between the Gulf and the Mediterranean”.
- “Our future must be built on stability, strategy and cooperation — not on continuous emergency management”.
The big picture: Bahrain is working for its political consolidation and industrial footholds.
- Meloni met King Hamad and Crown Prince/PM Salman Al Khalifa. The meeting reaffirmed the Strategic Investment Partnership signed in September.
- Discussions centred on Middle East stabilisation and a just, lasting peace in Ukraine.
Two MoUs were signed:
- Fincantieri–ASRY: groundwork for co-design and co-production of military and offshore vessels (up to 80m), plus maintenance and export cooperation via the Maestral JV (UAE).
- Roboze–ASRY: roadmap for a 3D-printing smart factory to localise component production.
- FdI’s Roberto Menia framed Meloni as the region’s “new queen of the Gulf,” arguing Italy is securing long-term industrial and geopolitical dividends.
Oman’s posture- Oman’s foreign policy is balanced between mediation, de-escalation and development pathways.
- Talks with Sultan Haitham focused on Gaza, Yemen and Red Sea security.
- Rome praised Oman’s mediation role on the Iran nuclear file.
- Bilateral ties highlighted excellent cultural cooperation and rising Italian corporate interest in Muscat’s development agenda.
Kuwait: defence cooperation and investment momentum
- Meeting with Emir Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
- Key points:
- strong defence cooperation
- Solid returns from Kuwaiti investments in Italy
- shared intent to deepen economic collaboration
- Alignment on Gaza, Middle East peace efforts and the war in Ukraine.
The strategic move: a GCC–Med Summit hosted in Italy.
- Meloni proposed launching a Gulf-Mediterranean Summit in Italy.
- The new format is designed to be complementary, not competitive, with existing forums.
- Its core priorities are economic interconnections, structured regional cooperation and long-term stabilisation mechanisms
Connectivity and energy diplomacy. Meloni highlighted the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) as a transformational connectivity spine linking India, Gulf ports, Europe and the U.S.
- Italy is pushing for a new energy diplomacy connecting Europe, Africa and the Gulf under the Mattei Plan.
- Guiding principle: technological neutrality, enabling all available and emerging technologies to support the energy transition.
Middle East peace efforts and Iran diplomacy. Meloni backed the current U.S. peace initiative as a rare opening for regional stabilisation.
- Italy reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution, with reciprocal recognition and security guarantees.
- Rome contributes through training operations for Palestinian security forces, and targeted aid packages
- Italy signalled readiness to host and facilitate renewed talks on the Iran nuclear dossier, recalling previous rounds held in Rome.
Italy as a Mediterranean connector. Meloni invoked the ancient limes arabicus, spice routes and centuries of exchanges between Rome and the Arabian Peninsula.
- She described the Mediterranean as the “heart of global exchanges” and the shortest link between the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.
- Her narrative frames Italy as an ancient yet forward-looking nation with a natural vocation for dialogue and stability.
