President Sheikh Mohamed meets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Sheikh Mohamed says they witnessed the signing of agreements on sustainable economic growth

President Sheikh Mohamed receives Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before a meeting at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, greets Ms Meloni. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets Ms Meloni. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Ms Meloni during her first visit to the UAE. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Meloni discussed ways to build a strategic partnership between their countries, especially in the economic, investment and trade sectors. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, attend the talks. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, and Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, at the meeting in Al Shati Palace. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Members of the Italian delegation at the talks. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Ms Meloni. The President discussed the importance of this year's Cop28 climate change summit in the UAE. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed emphasised the depth of UAE-Italy ties during the meeting at Al Shati Palace. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed has met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Abu Dhabi, where the leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements.

They discussed ways to build a strategic partnership between their countries, especially in the economic, investment and trade sectors.

They also talked about renewable energy, clean technologies and sustainable development, and how to address important issues such as climate change and food security.

“Today I was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of Italy to the UAE,” Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

“We discussed opportunities to further develop relations between our two countries and witnessed the signing of agreements aimed at fostering collaboration and sustainable economic growth.”

Sheikh Mohamed and Ms Meloni also reviewed several regional and international developments, state news agency Wam reported.

They emphasised the importance of dialogue and prioritising diplomatic solutions and co-operation to address crises and enhance stability.

Sheikh Mohamed also expressed his hope that Italy would be an influential presence at this year's Cop28 climate summit in the UAE, Wam said.

Ms Meloni told reporters in Abu Dhabi that the discussions went "very, very well”.

“I think there is a strong will on both sides to build not just good but excellent relations, a friendship, which I think is very important for our national interest," she said.

The UAE could play a key role in various issues that matter to Italy, Ms Meloni said, such as the stabilisation of Libya and Tunisia's financial difficulties, which both affect migrant flows into Europe, as well as Rome's energy policy in Africa.

On all these matters, Sheikh Mohamed expressed his willingness to help, Ms Meloni said.

During her visit, Italian state-owned oil and gas company Eni signed an energy co-operation accord with Adnoc to cut emissions, improve energy security and speed up low-carbon economic and industrial growth.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also signed a declaration of intent over climate strategy with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, UAE Climate Envoy and Cop 28 climate summit President-designate, who last month pledged to lay out an inclusive road map to tackle global warming.

Italy has said it expects green energy exports to the Emirates to grow over the next decade as the UAE's energy strategy and its push to achieve net-zero goals open new avenues of business.

Italian companies have exported €75 million ($85.7 million) in the first six months of 2021, an 11 per cent increase from 2020 and 4 per cent rise from the first half of 2019.

Italy is the fourth-largest renewables industry components provider for the UAE.