The Gulf states play a vital geopolitical role and are key partners in the energy sector and the fight against terrorism, Italy's president Sergio Mattarella said Monday during a meeting with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Rome.
"The Gulf region is of strategic and crucial important, not just for its member states but for the who international community," Mattarella stated.
The Gulf is not only crucial to the energy sector but also to security and the fight against global threats including "violent extremism", he said.
"We need to work to ensure cohesion, while recognising and respecting differences, the uniqueness and the sovereignty of each country in the region," Mattarella said.
Al-Thani held talks Mattarella at the start of an official two-day visit to Rome during which the Qatari delegation is due to ink a series of bilateral deals in the areas of health, food and agriculture, sport and research.
Italy's foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi also attended al-Thani's meeting with Mattarella, Mattarella's office said in a statement.
Al-Thani was due to meet Italy's premier Giuseppe Conte during his visit, as well as the speakers of the lower and upper houses of parliament, Roberto Fico and Elisabetta Casellati.
It is understood the visit will prepare the ground for a series of trips to Italy next year by Qatari investors organised by business associations in the two countries.
