Italy–Saudi Arabia relations

Relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia are the bilateral relations between two nations. Italy has an embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Rome.

Italian-Saudi relations

Italy
Saudi Arabia

History

Historically, the ancient Roman Empire had built its connection to various Arab tribes in the Arabian peninsula, where rich archaeological findings had been found fostering the relations.[1]

Italy and Saudi Arabia first established tie in 1932.[2] However, during the 1934 Saudi–Yemeni War, Italy provided support for the Yemenis against the Saudis, and this had drawn criticism from the Saudis.[3] Nonetheless, it affected little and the relations between two countries went on uninterrupted.[2]

In World War II, when Italy involved, Saudi Arabia declared neutrality while severing all relations with the Axis Powers, which Italy was a member; its oil revenues were subsidized by the Allies.[4]

Modern relations

Following the end of World War II, Italy and Saudi Arabia were quick to re-establish tie and the two nations became major economic partners. In 2013, Italy and Saudi Arabia celebrated its 80th year of relations.[2] Italy is also committed to finance specific cultural activities such as lectures and seminars held in Saudi Arabia by Italian professors, from various Italian Universities and research centers, and by chairs of the Arab language and/or Islamic art and culture. Currently, efforts are under way to revive such exchanges between the academic institutions of both countries.[1]

In 2018, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Salvini hosted Saudi Ambassador and praised Saudi Arabia.[5]

In 2020, Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano described the relations as "good" and "expanding"; Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also hailed the relations as "historic".[6]

Military cooperation

Since the Yemeni conflict broke out in 2014, Italy has emerged as a major weapon supplier to Saudi Arabia when the Kingdom intervened to support Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, this had generated criticism in Italy due to it being used to kill indiscriminately civilians in Yemen.[7][8]

Between 2019 to 2020, protests against Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen had led to Italian worker unions to several times refusing to load ships for the conflict.[9][10]

Italian government has faced pressure to prevent all arms export to Saudi Arabia in allegation of war crimes committed by Saudi military against Yemenis.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Bilateral relations: Italy - Saudi Arabia relations". Arab News. June 2, 2011.
  2. Roberto Aliboni, Silvia Colombo (December 30, 2013). "Italy and Saudi Arabia". IAI Istituto Affari Internazionali.
  3. ALMANA, MOHAMMED (1982). Arabia Unified A Portrait of Ibn Saud. Hutchinson Benham. p. 271. ISBN 9780091472900.
  4. "Saudi Arabia - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  5. "Italy eyes closer ties with Saudi Arabia". Arab News. July 19, 2018.
  6. "Italy-Saudi Arabia: relations are good, expanding, Alfano - Politics". ANSAMed. July 21, 2017.
  7. "Italy's dirty war in Yemen". Il manifesto global. October 16, 2016.
  8. "Italian and European weapons in Yemeni conflict". Journalismfund.
  9. Barry, Sinead (May 21, 2019). "Italian unions refuse to load Saudi ship carrying weapons to Yemen". euronews.
  10. agencies, The New Arab &. "Italian union workers refuse to resupply Saudi weapons ship over 'Yemen war crimes'". alaraby.
  11. "PGA Member Dip. Lia Quartapelle (Italy) calls on government to suspend arms exports to all countries directly involved in the conflict in Yemen". Parliamentarians for Global Action - Mobilizing Legislators as Champions for Human Rights, Democracy and Peace.
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