Relationship dossier
Italy
Saudi Arabia
Relationship assessment
Expanding economic cooperation alongside friction over arms exports and regional policy
Italy toward Saudi Arabia
+30The Italian government imposed restrictions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia in 2019 over concerns related to the Yemen conflict, then lifted them in 2023. Italy has also pursued bilateral investment and energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia toward Italy
+30The Saudi government has pursued bilateral investment and economic cooperation with Italy, including through bilateral investment initiatives and agreements. The scope and implementation of these commitments are unclear.
Overall relationship
+30The enduring relationship combines bilateral economic engagement, including investment and energy cooperation, with friction arising from Italy's arms-export restrictions linked to the Yemen conflict. The lifting of those restrictions in 2023 accompanied a broader effort to strengthen ties.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Italy and Saudi Arabia have developed practical cooperation in investment and energy, while Italian arms-export restrictions introduced over concerns about the Yemen conflict marked a period of friction. Italy lifted those restrictions in 2023. The relationship combines expanding economic engagement with differences over arms policy and regional issues.
Areas of tension
- Italy's arms-export restrictions to Saudi Arabia over concerns related to the Yemen conflict
Key developments
Italy imposed restrictions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia over concerns related to the Yemen conflict.
Italy lifted its restrictions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of recent bilateral investment and energy commitments are unclear.
- The extent of continuing differences over arms exports and regional policy is uncertain.