RIYADH, 22 April 2007 — Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi yesterday called the Arab summit in Riyadh a turning point in the Middle East peace process. “The outcome of the Arab League summit has given everyone hope for peace in the Middle East,” Prodi told reporters at the Italian Embassy here.
Prodi, who arrived in the Kingdom on a two-day visit, was received at Riyadh Air Base by Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman and senior Foreign Ministry officials.
The prime minister later held talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on matters of regional and bilateral interests. The topics of their discussion included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Darfur and Somalia.
Besides holding talks on regional matters with top Saudi officials, the visiting premier said that his mission to the Kingdom was to strengthen the political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
“There is a lot of scope for bilateral cooperation in these three areas,” he stressed, pointing out that Italy was willing to offer assistance to the Kingdom in training and transfer of technology.
Prodi met Interior Minister Prince Naif and discuss a proposed bilateral treaty to fight organized crime, terrorism and drug and human trafficking. Naif has been invited to Rome to discuss the final draft of the accord.
Prodi also held talks with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and invited Saudi students to come to Italy for their studies.
Prior to his meeting with the king, Prodi met members of the Italian community at a reception by Italian Ambassador Eugenio d’Auria at his residence.
Today, Prodi is scheduled to visit the Shoura Council and address its members. He will also meet Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) Gov. Amr Dabbagh before his return to Rome.
Answering a question from Arab News, the premier said he would be meeting with members of the Saudi business community today to open up new bilateral trade channels and partnerships. Italy has a trade representative in Riyadh to look for viable opportunities in the Kingdom, while SAGIA has a representative in Rome.
Italy’s exports to the Kingdom in 2006 were estimated at 2.4 billion euros, up 35 percent over the previous year. The Kingdom’s exports to Italy have been valued at 4.2 billion euros during the same period. Italy is planning to hold a trade fair in Riyadh in early 2008.
