Throughout the 20th century, the countries of the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf (later the Gulf Cooperation Council countries) — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — have remained important partners to Italy in political and economic terms. However, few, for instance, remember that Saudi Aramco’s first international HQ was located in Rome before shifting to its current seat in The Hague or that in 1939 Bahrain’s Emir Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa donated land to the Apostolic Vicar of Arabia to build the first modern Catholic Church in the Gulf (Sacred Heart, in Manama). These are just snapshots of a much wider and dynamic set of relations.

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This short series is meant to highlight Italy’s diplomatic relations to the countries of the GCC since, though diplomacy, states are able to foster meaningful ties that then facilitate collaboration in various fields ranging from: trade, cultural and educational activities to security. Establishing diplomatic ties marks a significant milestone in the relations between states and paves the way for dialogue, exchanges, and the exploration of common interests.

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This mini-series walks through Italy-GCC relations by examining the specific ties Rome maintains to each of the GCC countries. Beginning with Bahrain (and then progressing alphabetically to Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE), this series notes some of the more important milestones that have come to define the current state of play in Italy’s bilateral relations to the GCC states.

 

Italy and Bahrain: 50-Years of Friendship

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This year, 2023, The Republic of Italy and the Kingdom of Bahrain mark a half-century of diplomatic and commercial relations that have yielded many important successes over the years. What was once, nominally, just formal recognition has evolved into a solid friendship based on strategic political and economic cooperation, mutual trust and a desire to understand more about each others cultures. Trade and mutual prosperity between the two countries is certainly among the greatest benefits derived from such cooperation and Italy has played a significant role in supporting Bahrain’s economic development, providing direct investment, advanced technology and know-how in key sectors, such as energy transmission infrastructure, engineering and fashion. Italian companies recognise Bahrain as an access point to the wider Gulf market—one with an easy-to-operate business environment and supporting superstructures. Bahrain is also a key regional hub for Italian companies looking to expand their presence in the Middle East and beyond, a point underscored by Bahrain’s signing of the Abraham accords which linked the country through another one of Italy’s key allies: Israel.

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Cultural and academic cooperation are also highly important and several initiatives have promoted the exchange of experience and knowledge between Rome and Manama: research collaboration between universities and research institutes, artefact exchanges between museums and artists and Rome’s La Sapienza is even the host of the King Hamad Chair for Interreligious Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence.

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During WWII, Italy’s longest airforce raid was against Bahrain’s oil production sites because Bahrain supplied the UK (and other allies) with critical amounts of petroleum needed for naval craft. Since then, the two countries have gone a long way towards sharing interests in regional stability and peace. Energy security, counterterrorism and nuclear non-proliferation in the Gulf sit atop both of their agenda’s.

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All in all, Bahrain and Italy enjoy a wide assortment of relations that stretch to all sectors. Diplomacy has made this possible. At present, the Embassy of the Republic of Italy, which opened in Manama in 2002 and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Rome, which began to function in 2018, play the leading role in facilitating political and trade relations and ensuring that continues coordination takes place. A unique Italian-Bahraini Business Council was launched on 17 November 2021 and business relations (including in the tourism sector) have flourished as a result. Of course, the ancients already knew that Rome-Bahrain relations could flourish and this is only the most recent chapter in a much deeper history of peaceful engagements for the sake of their citizens and each other!

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(30/05/2023)