Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Jeddah on Friday, advancing strategic bilateral energy cooperation.
Meloni began her unannounced Gulf tour in the Red Sea port, becoming the first EU or NATO leader visiting since February’s war escalation. Consequently, her scheduled meetings with Saudi, Qatari, and Emirati officials signal renewed diplomatic momentum across the region. Moreover, these nations recently faced Iranian drone and missile strikes after US-Israeli actions against Tehran.
Energy Security at Forefront
“The aim is to strengthen relations with these countries and repeat Italy’s support against Iranian attacks,” a government source confirmed to AFP. Additionally, “The mission is also aimed at strengthening national energy security,” noting the Gulf remains a “crucial source of oil and gas for Italy.”
Italy heavily relies on energy imports, so rising prices concern policymakers deeply across European markets. Therefore, Rome cut fuel excise taxes until 1 May to cushion consumers from inflation pressures. Furthermore, Meloni’s 25 March Algeria visit secured thirty percent of Italy’s natural gas, with expansion talks ongoing.
Balancing Transatlantic Relations
Meloni maintains close ties with US President Donald Trump while actively bridging European and American policy positions. However, she aligns with EU allies in declining direct war involvement despite Trump’s persistent encouragement. “I continue to believe that, geopolitically, Europe does not have much to gain from a widening gap with the United States,” Italian media quoted her saying Friday. “But our job is above all to defend our national interests, and when we disagree we have to say so. And this time we do not agree,” she added.
Meanwhile, Trump urged nations affected by Iran’s Strait of Hormuz blockade to restore the vital shipping lane. Notably, this route once carried a quarter of global seaborne oil and twenty percent of liquefied natural gas.
