Al sakhir palace: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the current session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), presided over the second working session of the 46th GCC Summit at Al Sakhir Palace. The session featured Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, as the summit’s Guest of Honour.
According to Bahrain News Agency, His Majesty King Hamad welcomed the distinguished participation of the Italian Prime Minister, emphasizing the deep-rooted relations between the GCC states and Italy. He expressed a commitment to expanding economic, social, and cultural ties, highlighting Italy’s significant role in promoting international peace and security.
Prime Minister Meloni, in her address, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the summit. She underscored Italy’s long-standing tradition of dialogue and respect and proposed a “GCC-MED” Summit to be hosted in Italy. This summit aims to strengthen cooperation between Gulf and Mediterranean nations, focusing on developing economic and digital connections, alongside energy diplomacy.
In her speech, Meloni highlighted strategic projects, such as the India-Middle East Corridor and the Blue Raman cable, which promise to enhance connectivity and cooperation between Europe and the Gulf. She also called for a new energy diplomacy approach, advocating for technological neutrality to advance energy transition efforts.
Meloni emphasized the importance of stability in the Gulf region, suggesting three priority paths: achieving a two-state solution in the Middle East, reaching a credible agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, and countering terrorism and extremism. She advocated for enhanced cooperation to address challenges and build a secure geopolitical space.
The closed session, chaired by His Majesty the King, focused on strengthening historical ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration across multiple sectors. The discussions aimed at advancing mutual interests and expanding strategic partnerships between the GCC states and Italy.