Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held talks in Qatar on energy security and Middle East diplomacy following a visit to Saudi Arabia.
DOHA: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Saturday.
Their discussions focused on the energy crisis and Middle East conflict.
Meloni arrived from Saudi Arabia, where she met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Her unannounced Gulf trip comes amid daily Iranian attacks targeting the region.
A statement from her office said the leaders “tackled energy issues… and discussed possible measures to mitigate the shocks suffered”. Meloni offered Italian help to rehabilitate Qatar’s essential energy infrastructure.
Italy is heavily reliant on energy imports and is concerned by rising prices. Qatar’s energy installations have been hit, affecting its liquefied natural gas export capacity.
The Emiri Diwan stated both leaders emphasised the need to “prioritise diplomacy” to contain the Middle East crisis. A Rome government source said the trip aimed to strengthen ties and show support against Iranian attacks.
The source described the region as a “crucial source of oil and gas for Italy”. They noted Meloni is the first EU or NATO leader to visit the Gulf since the war began on February 28.
That conflict started with US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Meloni, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, has insisted Italy will not join the war effort.
Trump has urged countries to help secure the vital Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the war started.
