Defence, Meloni meets Qatari Emir Al Thani: 'Deepen strategic partnership'

The bilateral between Italy and Qatar that took place in Rome in the setting of Villa Doria Pamphilj closed with a Joint Declaration that touches on the main aspects of bilateral cooperation, including foreign policy, migration, the Rome Process and Mattei Plan, investment, defence, energy, judicial cooperation, research and tourism. In Rome, the Emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani first met the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, then he was received by the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni.

"The discussions," reads a note released by Palazzo Chigi at the end of the meeting, "focused on the situation in the Middle East, where the Prime Minister shared with his guest the results of his recent missions to Jordan and Lebanon, confirming Italy's support for the mediation conducted by Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, for an agreement in Gaza. The two leaders also addressed the humanitarian situation in the Strip and the serious crisis of displaced persons in Lebanon. The talks also made it possible to reiterate their common firm support for UNIFIL and the need to guarantee the security of its personnel at all times, working for the full implementation of resolution 1701, including through the necessary international support for the Lebanese armed forces. With regard to bilateral relations," the note goes on to explain, "President Meloni and the Emir reaffirmed their mutual desire to strengthen cooperation between Rome and Doha, also with reference to the African continent within the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa. This willingness was acknowledged in a joint statement adopted at the end of the meeting, to which was added the signing of several agreements in numerous sectors of mutual interest".

"We emphasise," the document reads, "our commitment to deepening our strategic partnership on defence issues, both at military and industrial levels. In particular, building on frequent exchanges of visits and joint training programmes and activities, we express our willingness to explore new ways of cooperation, continuing discussions on the establishment of an Italian military logistics hub in Qatar and promoting the coordination of exports to the region'.

"We recognise that migration is a global issue that requires collective commitment and enhanced cooperation to address the challenges and seize the opportunities it presents," the final declaration further reads. Within the context of the Rome Process, we have agreed to jointly promote partnerships on migration with countries of origin and transit, including through innovative solutions. We recognise the need for stronger international cooperation to curb transnational organised crime and to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, eliminating their root causes and strengthening and diversifying regular channels of migration'.

"We recognise the importance of fostering equitable and strategic partnerships with African countries, contributing to the sustainable development of the African continent," the two leaders added. "We propose to strengthen our cooperation, within the framework of the Mattei Plan, in selected sectors such as sustainable agriculture, in order to create mutually beneficial projects in partnership with African countries. We believe that in order to advance rapidly on strategic projects on the African continent, we need to pool our financial resources through the new instruments created under the Mattei Plan, such as the Platform for Growth and Resilience for Africa ('GRAF')'.