UAE President, Meloni discuss ways to boost economic ties
- Last updated: October 5, 2026 | 11:19
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, discussed bilateral relations and opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in the economic and development fields, during a phone call on Sunday.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation under the strategic partnership between the two countries in support of shared growth and prosperity.
Sheikh Mohamed and the Italian Prime Minister also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, particularly developments in the Middle East and ongoing efforts to promote security and stability for the benefit of the region’s countries and peoples.
In June this year Sheikh Mohamed and Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains in France and discussed ways to further strengthen ties within the framework of the strategic partnership between the UAE and the Italian Republic.
During the meeting Sheikh Mohamed and Meloni reviewed bilateral cooperation across key sectors including the economy, investment, energy, technology, and artificial intelligence.
The two sides also reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The meeting also touched on the importance of the G7 Summit in strengthening cooperation to address shared global challenges and support economic stability.
Relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Italian Republic continue to advance under the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two friendly countries, reflecting the convergence of their views on current regional and global issues, their joint efforts to promote international security and stability, and their close cooperation across all fields.
UAE-Italian relations draw strength from a historic partnership dating back to 1971, supported and closely followed by the leadership of both countries, which remains committed to elevating ties to unprecedented levels based on solid foundations of shared visions and mutual interests that ensure their continued growth and development.
In this context in June this year, Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, praised the significant achievements made by both countries throughout their partnership, noting substantial progress in political, economic, investment, trade, tourism and strategic cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion of Italy’s National Day, Ambassador Fanara said that 2026 represents a historic year in bilateral relations, which have continued to deepen and flourish despite uncertainty in the international landscape. He noted that this year witnessed the official visit of President Sergio Mattarella of the Italian Republic to the UAE, marking the first official visit by an Italian Head of State to the Emirates.
He added that President Mattarella’s visit came just one year after the first official visit by a UAE President to Italy, underscoring the exceptional level of trust, mutual respect and political maturity that characterises bilateral relations today.
The ambassador stressed that true friends stand by one another in difficult times. In this regard, he said Italy firmly supported the UAE during the Iranian attacks against the country, conveying an immediate message of solidarity and tangible closeness.
He noted that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the first leader from a G7/G20 country to visit the UAE during the crisis, reflecting Italy’s unwavering commitment to its partnership with the Emirates.
Ambassador Fanara also expressed gratitude to the UAE for its assistance in helping more than 10,000 stranded Italian tourists return home within just one week of the attacks. He added that the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi remained fully operational throughout the period, continuing to support Italian citizens and businesses that chose to remain in the UAE.
Turning to economic relations, the ambassador highlighted the strength and resilience of bilateral ties, noting that Italian investments in the UAE continue to grow significantly. Around 600 Italian companies currently operate across the UAE in sectors including oil and gas, engineering, infrastructure, legal services and professional consultancy.
He also pointed to the rapid growth of Emirati investment in Italy, particularly following the UAE’s 2025 announcement of a landmark US$40 billion investment commitment across several strategic sectors in Italy.
WAM