The Prime Minister of Italy embarked on an unannounced visit to the Persian Gulf countries

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has embarked on a previously unannounced visit to the Persian Gulf countries.

This was reported by the ANSA news agency.

According to its information, the head of the Italian government, the first among European leaders to visit the region since the start of the U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran, arrived in the Saudi city of Jeddah. As ANSA notes, over the next two days Meloni will hold meetings with key leaders of the Persian Gulf region and will also visit, in addition to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

As sources at the Chigi government palace indicate, the main goal of the visit is to strengthen national energy security, given the region's role in oil production.

Earlier, at a meeting of the Italian Council of Ministers, it was decided to extend the suspension of excise duties until May 1 in order to contain fuel prices. According to Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti, this measure will cost 500 million euros.