UAE, Italy elevate ties to strategic partnership

ANKARA

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italy on Saturday agreed to elevate their relations to the level of a strategic partnership.

This came during a meeting in Abu Dhabi between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

A joint statement said the strategic partnership will enable the countries “to focus their joint efforts towards expanding and deepening horizons of political, diplomatic, international, economic and trade cooperation, and direct investment."

It will also “strengthen cooperation in the fields of emissions reduction, new energy technologies and low-carbon solutions,” it added.

The agreement will also enhance “the long-term strategic partnership between the two countries, boost energy security and accelerate low-carbon economic and industrial growth,” the statement said.

Meloni’s visit is the first to the UAE since she came to power in October 2022.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report