Italy-KSA: A strategic partnership where heritage meets modernity
As Italy on Monday celebrates the 79th anniversary of the foundation of the republic, which brought democracy, freedom and economic development after the horrors of two world wars, I would like to take a moment to look into the remarkable progress already achieved in the first part of this year in the bilateral relationship between Italy and Saudi Arabia.
In 2025, our two countries achieved a milestone in their relationship by upgrading it to the level of a strategic partnership. The historic visit to the Kingdom of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the end of January ushered in a new phase for our two countries. As ambassador, I had the privilege to prepare the visit and assist my prime minister during this landmark mission. In the Royal Camp of AlUla, in a traditional Saudi desert tent, I witnessed two leaders discussing extensively and with passion not only the present but also, most notably, the future.
Our diplomatic relationship is an old and very solid one, as it dates back to 1932. But it is also projected into the future, as our two leaders fully understood: Italy and Saudi Arabia have much to gain from seizing common opportunities and addressing common challenges together.
First, let me dwell on the people-to-people relations, which are the basis for a stronger and more mature strategic partnership. The Italian community in the Kingdom is growing, in parallel with the number of Saudi citizens visiting and doing business in Italy. We are indeed popular destinations for each other. I believe our peoples share many aspects of a broader Mediterranean heritage and therefore many values and habits are absolutely the same in the Kingdom and in Italy. This makes our citizens feel at home in both countries.
Politically, our governments are fully committed to the principles of de-escalation, stabilization and development of the Middle East and North Africa region. We look through the same lens at regional dynamics and we are working more and more closely on different dossiers. Italy, which is at the center of the Mediterranean Sea and is a natural bridge between Europe and the Arab world, has a key interest in a prosperous region and fully supports the Kingdom's positive agenda in this regard.
Italy and Saudi Arabia have much to gain from seizing common opportunities and challenges together.
Carlo Baldocci
The deep and accelerated reform process the Kingdom is undergoing also has the potential to have a positive effect on the whole region, prioritizing integration and development. Our economies are complementary and Italy is very well placed to continue to contribute to the implementation of Vision 2030, which is now very familiar to Italian stakeholders and public opinion.
We will continue to work with our Saudi counterparts with the spirit of partnership that is an integral part of the Italian DNA abroad. We support the Kingdom in achieving its objectives, through joint ventures and joint industrial policies. This is the key ingredient for a sustainable partnership, as it will enable our two countries to grow together and get stronger together, through exchanges of know-how, technology transfer and the cross-fertilization of our respective capacities.
During the January visit of PM Meloni, a high-level roundtable took place in the iconic location of Maraya. With the marvels of AlUla as a backdrop, we celebrated Saudi heritage — a powerful message on how the Kingdom's transformation is deeply anchored in its rich heritage and identity. The beautiful and Italian-designed Maraya concert hall reminded us that our tradition is inevitably a work in progress, which can benefit from our cooperation and is enriched every day by both creativity and technology.
Key representatives from both countries were present in Maraya and signed a significant number of agreements, not only business deals but also very relevant initiatives in the arts, with archeology, restoration and design as the map of our desire to share and experiment with our capacities. That event and that spirit, I believe, symbolize very well the essence of our strategic partnership, where heritage meets modernity and where our respective roots will guide us into a more prosperous future.
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