President Sheikh Mohamed says UAE 'keen to push forward' relations with Italy

Comment: The UAE and Italy's strong partnership for the future

President Sheikh Mohamed has discussed growing relations between the UAE and Italy as he met Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the presidential palace in Rome. Sheikh Mohamed said the two countries are “linked by strong strategic relations”.

“My visit today reflects the UAE's keenness to push these relations forward for the benefit of joint development in both countries,” he said.

He spoke of the desire to build on common areas, particularly in culture, as he thanked Mr Mattarella for a warm welcome in the Italian capital. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President.

Sheikh Mohamed also met the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Government Palace in Rome on Monday, Wam reported. The leaders discussed the long-standing and historic ties between the countries and the progress that has been made since a Strategic Partnership was signed in 2023, when Ms Meloni visited the UAE. He also awarded her the Order of the Union, in recognition of her role in strengthening UAE-Italy relations.

Both Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Meloni expressed a shared desire to move the partnership towards a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with the UAE announcing a commitment to invest $40 billion across vital sectors in Italy. More than 40 new agreements were signed in fields including economy and investment, defence, energy – including peaceful nuclear energy, sustainable energy and energy transition, space and the promotion of cultural heritage.

The two leaders explored opportunities for co-operation with other partners as well, particularly in Africa, and exchanged views on regional developments. They also commended the Italian community living in the UAE and Emiratis living in Italy, noting that their contributions were playing an important role in fostering the strong cultural and educational ties between the two nations.

Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Meloni also expressed their commitment to work together in promoting tolerance, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and jointly address extremism, racism, and hate speech.

On Sunday, Sheikh Mohamed attended a banquet held in his honour by Mr Mattarella. The partnership between the UAE and Italy continues to grow and develop, Sheikh Mohamed said. The visit reflects both countries’ “desire to work together to elevate co-operation and joint economic growth”, he added.

Mr Mattarella spoke of the “the depth of relations between the two countries and their shared aspiration to further strengthen co-operation for the benefit of their people”.

During the banquet, Sheikh Mohamed received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, which is granted by Italy to world leaders. In return, Sheikh Mohamed awarded the Order of Zayed to Mr Mattarella.

The banquet was also attended by Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad. Earlier on Sunday, Sheikh Mohamed also met Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama. The leaders discussed ways to work together on economy, trade, renewable energy, food security, and technology.

UAE-Italy links were buoyed in March 2023 by a visit from Ms Meloni, during which she held talks with Sheikh Mohamed. Ms Meloni was in Abu Dhabi again last month as the UAE, Italy and Albania announced plans to team up to build a subsea system for exporting renewable energy across the Adriatic.

As part of the deal, green power produced in Albania will be exported to Italy through an undersea cable, Ms Meloni said at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. The total value of the deal is €1 billion and the project is expected to be operational within three years.