Meloni in the Gulf: harmony on gas and defence with Qatar, the Emirates and Saudi Arabia | Euronews

## Summary
By&nbsp Gabriele Barbati Published on 04/04/2026 - 19:44 GMT+2 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied The focus of the talks of Italian prime minister with Qatar, the Emirates and Saudi Arabia was the restoration of energy supplies and security in Hormuz. Giorgia Meloni completed her two-day visit to the Persian Gulf on Saturday, with stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, following Friday's visit to Saudi Arabia for consultations on the area's security and energy supplies from the region, blocked by the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In this regard, Meloni offered Italy's readiness to rehabilitate the local energy infrastructure and urged urgent cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Over 40 countries launch coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz Italy's PM Meloni plans closer cooperation with Algeria to boost gas deliveries Giorgia Meloni Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Italy Energy

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By&nbsp
Gabriele Barbati
Published on
04/04/2026 - 19:44 GMT+2
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The focus of the talks of Italian prime minister with Qatar, the Emirates and Saudi Arabia was the restoration of energy supplies and security in Hormuz. Italy offered technical support for affected infrastructure and defence against Iranian raids.
Giorgia Meloni completed her two-day visit to the Persian Gulf on Saturday, with stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, following Friday's visit to Saudi Arabia for consultations on the area's security and energy supplies from the region, blocked by the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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The Prime Minister was received in Doha by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, with whom she discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Middle East. Italy, like other countries, has recently suffered a cut in gas supplies due to the damage suffered by the Emirate during Iranian attacks.
In this regard, Meloni offered Italy's readiness to rehabilitate the local energy infrastructure and urged urgent cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Other topics touched upon in the meetings included joint investments in security and defence, in critical infrastructure and in the management of migratory phenomena in the Mediterranean routes.
First visit by an EU, G20 and NATO leader since the war started
The last stop of the surprise tour in the Gulf was the United Arab Emirates, where Meloni expressed to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Italy's "strong closeness to a friendly nation, victim of continuous attacks by Iran" and gratitude "for the support received in the repatriation operations of tourists in transit and of the thousands of Italian citizens present in the Emirates at the beginning of the conflict".
The two leaders discussed the same agenda brought to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. On Friday, the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, discussed with the premier the defensive military assistance provided by Italy and the prospects of the conflict involving Iran and the ongoing efforts for a diplomatic solution.
The meeting in Jeddah also focussed on how to secure energy supplies and reduce the impact of the crisis on businesses and citizens.
Meloni's was the first visit to the region by an EU, G20 and NATO leader since the start of the war on 28 February. It was a strong choice, desired by the Italian Prime Minister and kept confidential until the last minute for security reasons, given the continuing bombing by Iran of those countries.
In Italy, the mission was criticised by the Democratic Party and the Green Left Alliance, while the leader of Italia Viva and former prime minister, Matteo Renzi, spoke of a "politically intelligent choice", even though "difficult months lie ahead".
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Which European countries' ships are most hit by the Hormuz crisis?
Over 40 countries launch coalition to secure Strait of Hormuz
Italy's PM Meloni plans closer cooperation with Algeria to boost gas deliveries
Giorgia Meloni
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Italy
Energy

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- First visit by an EU, G20 and NATO leader since the war started The last stop of the surprise tour in the Gulf was the United Arab Emirates, where Meloni expressed to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Italy's "strong closeness to a friendly nation, victim of continuous attacks by Iran" and gratitude "for the support received in the repatriation operations of tourists in transit and of the thousands of Italian citizens present in the Emirates at the beginning of the conflict".
- It was a strong choice, desired by the Italian Prime Minister and kept confidential until the last minute for security reasons, given the continuing bombing by Iran of those countries.

### Areas for Consideration
- In Italy, the mission was criticised by the Democratic Party and the Green Left Alliance, while the leader of Italia Viva and former prime minister, Matteo Renzi, spoke of a "politically intelligent choice", even though "difficult months lie ahead".

### Implications
- The meeting in Jeddah also focussed on how to secure energy supplies and reduce the impact of the crisis on businesses and citizens.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers italy, meloni, qatar topics. Notable strengths include discussion of italy. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 527.