Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha on Saturday. The discussions focused on the global energy crisis stemming from the ongoing United States and Israeli war on Iran, as well as measures to mitigate regional tensions. A statement from Meloni's office noted that she expressed Rome's readiness to "contribute to the rehabilitation of Qatari energy infrastructure, which is essential to energy security on a global scale".
Italy is highly dependent on energy imports and is concerned about rising energy prices resulting from Iran's effective blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas transits. The Qatari emir's office stated that both sides "stressed the need to work towards de-escalation and prioritise political dialogue and diplomacy as the best way to contain the current crisis in the Middle East and its repercussions on energy and supply chains".
The meeting also reviewed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and ways to support and develop it in various fields, particularly in the economy and energy. Since the war began in late February, Iran has targeted US and Israeli assets in the region, in addition to striking Gulf countries, including Qatar. Iran has attacked Qatar's energy installations, such as a missile strike on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's main gas facility, causing "significant damage". Doha says these attacks will affect its natural gas export capacity.
An Italian government source told AFP that Meloni's trip to the Gulf aims to "strengthen relations with these countries and repeat Italy's support against Iranian attacks". The source added that the region is a "crucial source of oil and gas for Italy" and that Meloni is the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to travel to the region since the war broke out. After meeting the Qatari emir, Meloni travelled to the United Arab Emirates, where she was received by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Source: www.aljazeera.com