Italy has strengthened its relations with Qatar "in every" sector in recent years, president Sergio Mattarella said on Monday during a visit to Rome by the Gulf state's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, calling bilateral ties "positive" and "substantial".
"Since your previous visit to Rome, our bilateral cooperation has expanded further and is more organised and efficient in every sector," Mattarell said after talks with Al-Thani at the Quirinale Palace.
"Even during the most delicate phases, relations with Italy have remained positive and proactive, an evident sign of great friendship and mutual trust," Mattarella added.
Italy has kept up constant political ties with Qatar, recognising it as an important interlocutor in the "highly delicate and crucial" Gulf region," Mattarella stated.
The signing on Tuesday in Rome during Al-Thani's visit of series of bilateral accords in the areas of health, food and agriculture, sport and research, is the "clearest evidence" of Italy's strong relationship with Qatar, Mattarella argued.
"We have shared interests that go from strengthening economic, trade and scientific to cultural and technological relations," he said.
Italian firms are active in Qatar, where their "quality and competence" is in demand, above all for major infrastructure projects, with "major success strories," Mattarella said.
"Cultural relations are equally important to reinforce mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples - with notable and indisputable results," he stated.
"I am proud that Italy, its history and traditions arouse extensive interest in your country," Mattarella concluded.
Trade between Italy and Qatar has increased by some 11 percent over the past two years, Italy's ambassador to Qatar, Pasquale Salzano, told Adnkronos ahead of the visit to Rome by Al-Thani and his vice-premier and foreign minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.
Big Italian industrial groups including Salini Impregilo, Saipem, Eni, Fincantieri, Rizzani de Eccher and Leonardo are part of "a massive presence" in Qatar, Salzano said.
