Mattarella in the Emirates, Italy focuses on the Persian Gulf
During the visit, President Mattarella will meet with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Italy
Key points
A State visit 'that seals a now stable relationship'. This is how the Quirinale explains the importance of the mission of the President of the Republic to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 27 to 29 January. In fact, with the presence of the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, in the UAE "the process of rapprochement with Italy after the critical phase of 2019 is completed" when bilateral relations reached a low point due to the halt to arms export licences because of the conflict in Yemen. Mattarella arrives in Abu Dhabi (the most important of the seven emirates that make up the federation) for political talks and will then move on to Dubai to close his mission by looking after economic relations.
Meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
During the visit, President Mattarella will meet with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the UAE and Italy. For years, the Emirates have seen a decisive expansion of bilateral relations with Italy, and the Meloni government has decisively chosen the country as the strategic hub of Italian projection in the Gulf. The 30 ministerial visits in the last period and the three missions of the Prime Minister herself bear witness to this.
The Defence Co-operation Agreement
Giving body and substance to this interest in the Gulf was also the government's clearance (Parliamentary approval is still lacking) of the Defence Cooperation Agreement. An agreement that carries a clear message: Rome and Abu Dhabi no longer speak only of business, but also of security. The agreement provides for exchanges of delegations, military training, joint exercises, industrial cooperation, scientific research, technology transfer and logistical support. This is no mean feat if one adds to the continuous growth of trade exchanges and interactions in the most technologically advanced sectors.
Italian exports up almost 20% year-on-year
Italy is one of the EU's main trading partners for the UAE along with Germany. In 2024 and 2025, bilateral trade reached almost EUR 10 billion and Italian exports are growing by almost 20 per cent year-on-year. At the same time, the Eau have committed some USD 40 billion in long-term investments in Italy. Rome therefore aims to be a strategic hub in the Gulf to connect markets from Europe to Africa. The attractiveness of the Emirates is now very high: the environment is highly competitive with very fast and simplified licensing processes, a predictable fiscal framework and a stable government. In short, doing business in the Emirates is easy as demonstrated by the growing number of Italians moving their residence there. In Dubai, the second stop for the President, meetings are scheduled with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and representatives of the Italian business community.
In Abu Dhabi Mattarella will also visit the House of the Abrahamic Family, which houses the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Moses ben Maimon Synagogue and the Ahmed el-Tayeb Mosque. It is a symbol of peaceful coexistence between the three monotheistic religions. On the morning of 29 January, in Dubai, the President will meet with representatives of the Italian business community.
