STORY: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrapped up on Saturday (April 4) a previously unannounced two-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The visit to the Gulf was the first by a European Union leader since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in February, and came amid growing concern in Rome over the security of oil and gas supplies.

Government sources said the visit aimed to reaffirm Italy's support for the three countries in the face of Iranian attacks, while also bolstering national energy security through closer engagement with Gulf producers.

"Our aim was not, and is not, simply to bear witness: it was, and is, to lend a hand in facing problems and thus better defend Italy's national interests,” the prime minister said in a video message released during her mission.

In Jeddah on Friday (April 3), Meloni met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, holding talks on Italy's provision of defensive military assistance and on prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the regional conflict.

In Doha on Saturday, Meloni was received by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with whom she discussed energy cooperation, saying Italy was ready to help rehabilitate Qatar's energy infrastructure damaged by Iranian attacks.

Meloni later travelled to the United Arab Emirates, where she met President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and, as she had done in Qatar, expressed gratitude for assistance in evacuating Italian nationals at the outset of the conflict.

In talks with leaders of all three countries, Meloni stressed the need to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, support diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, and strengthen cooperation and investment in strategic sectors including energy, defence and security.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (APRIL 3, 2026) (ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY POOL - Access all) (MUTE)

1. ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIORGIA MELONI, MEETING SAUDI CROWN PRINCE, MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN

2. BIN SALMAN SPEAKING

3. MELONI SPEAKING

DOHA, QATAR (APRIL 4, 2026) (ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY POOL - Access all)

4. ITALIAN, QATARI FLAG WAVING AT THE AIRPORT

5. MELONI SHAKING HANDS WITH QATARI OFFICIAL AT THE AIRPORT

6. TOWER READING (English): "Welcome to Doha" AT AIRPORT

7. MELONI SHAKING HANDS WITH OFFICIALS AT AIRPORT

8. CAR FLYING ITALIAN, QATARI FLAGS

9. MELONI GETTING IN CAR

10. VARIOUS OF CITY AS SEEN FROM CAR

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIORGIA MELONI, TALKING FROM INSIDE THE MOVING CAR SAYING:

"Our aim was not, and is not, simply to bear witness: it was, and is, to lend a hand in facing problems and thus better defend Italy's national interests. Because when instability grows in the Gulf, it is not only the international balance of power that is affected: energy prices, business costs, employment and, ultimately, households' purchasing power are all affected."

12. PALACE AS SEEN FROM CAR

13. ITALIAN, QATARI FLAGS WAVING BY ROADSIDE

14. PALACE AS SEEN FROM CAR

DOHA, QATAR (APRIL 4, 2026) (ITALIAN PRIME MINISTRY POOL - Access all) (MUTE)

15. EMIR OF QATAR, SHEIKH TAMIM BIN HAMAD AL THANI, WELCOMING MELONI

16. MELONI AND AL THANI WALKING INSIDE PALACE

17. MELONI AND AL THANI SEATED AND SPEAKING

18. AL THANI SPEAKING

19. MELONI SPEAKING

20. MELONI AND AL THANI SMILING