In view of the Ukraine war to secure gas supplies, Italy wants to strengthen relations with the Gulf state of Qatar. “I am really pleased that the Qatari authorities, who I was able to meet with Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, have confirmed to me today that they are making efforts to strengthen the energy partnership with Italy,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Sunday in the Qatari capital Doha. Qatar is already the most important supplier of liquefied natural gas for Italy, the 35-year-old explained. Because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the associated sanctions, the impact on the energy sector must be taken into account, Di Maio further explained. Strengthening the partnership with Qatar means being independent of possible Russian gas blackmail. Like Germany, Italy is particularly dependent on Russian gas.
According to Di Maio, Italy is planning further ventures to “diversify” energy supplies to the Mediterranean country. Last week he traveled to Algeria – another important gas supplier for Italy.