Italy | Saudi Arabia |
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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.
Historically, the ancient Roman Empire had built its connection to various parts of the Arabian peninsula, where rich archaeological findings had been found fostering the relations. [1]
Italy and the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz and its Dependencies first established a tie on 10 February 1932 when a treaty of friendship was signed by Italian Consul Guido Sollazzo and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal in Jeddah. [2] The relations continued following the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 22 September 1932 and a treaty of trade was signed by the parties on the same date. [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 the two countries went on uninterrupted. [4]
In World War II, when Italy was involved, Saudi Arabia declared neutrality while severing all relations with the Axis Powers, of which Italy was a member; its oil revenues were subsidized by the Allies. [5] On 13 January 1951, Saudi Arabia established its legation in Rome and appointed Muwaffaq Al Alusi as minister. [6]
Following the end of World War II, Italy and Saudi Arabia were quick to re-establish ties and the two nations became major economic partners. In 2013, Italy and Saudi Arabia celebrated their 80th year of relations. [4] Italy is also committed to financing 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 underway to revive such exchanges between the academic institutions of both countries. [1]
In 2018, Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini hosted Saudi Ambassador and praised Saudi Arabia. [7]
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". [8]
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. [9] [10]
Between 2019 and 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. [11] [12]
Italian government has faced pressure to prevent all arms export to Saudi Arabia in allegation of war crimes committed by Saudi military against Yemenis. [13]
Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia are the diplomatic and trade relations between Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world. The foreign policy of Saudi Arabia is focused on co-operation with the oil-exporting Gulf States, the unity of the Arab+ World+, Islamic+ solidarity, and support for the United Nations. In practice, the main concerns in recent years have been relations with the US, the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Iraq, the perceived threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the effect of oil pricing. Saudi Arabia contributes large amounts of development aid to Muslim countries. From 1986 to 2006, the country donated £49 billion in aid.
Adel Al-Jubeir is a Saudi diplomat who is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He is the second person not belonging to the House of Saud to hold the office, after Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Suwaiyel. He previously served as the Saudi Ambassador to the United States from 2007 to 2015, and was also a foreign policy advisor to King Abdullah.
Articles related to Saudi Arabia include:
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Iraq–Saudi relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between the Republic of Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both sovereign states share the Iraq–Saudi Arabia border.
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Ausaf Sayeed is a retired Indian diplomat, belonging to Indian Foreign Service of the 1989 batch. He served as the Secretary from March 2022 to September 2023.
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Morocco–Saudi Arabia relations refers to the current and historical relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Morocco has an embassy in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Rabat.
Saudi Arabia–Senegal relations are the current and historical relations between Saudi Arabia and Senegal. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Dakar while Senegal has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate in Jeddah.
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Saudi–Serbian relations refers to bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Serbia.
Saudi Arabian–Swedish relations are the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Sweden.
Saudi Arabia-South Africa relations refers to the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Riyadh. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G20 major economies.