Hassan Al -Sitry
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Italian Republic in 1972, the two countries have succeeded in building a coherent model of political and diplomatic partnership, based on mutual respect, deep understanding and multiple paths of cooperation. This relationship has evolved through prominent historical stations, high -level visits, and strategic agreements, which made Bahraini -Italian cooperation more comprehensive and wide, extending from politics to economics, from culture to technology, and from religious dialogue to major regional and international files.
The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972 represented the beginning of a long path of bilateral cooperation. However, the stage of the beginning of the new millennium formed an actual starting point towards documenting ties, with the opening of the Italian embassy in Manama in 2002, which gave a direct platform for political and diplomatic dialogue and promoting cultural and commercial exchange.
The visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Italy in 2008 came to be a prominent turning point. On that visit, His Majesty met President Georgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in addition to His Holiness Pope Bendtak VI These meetings opened new horizons for cooperation, and emphasized Bahrain’s position as a bridge to bring religions and cultures closer, in harmony with the Italy site as the headquarters of the Vatican and a global religious and cultural destination.
The historical royal visit laid the basis for an escalating institutional cooperation. A number of bilateral agreements have been signed in the cultural, health and educational fields, as it established a solid base for future partnership.
Then the visit of the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, came to Italy in February 2020 to add a new momentum. Where this visit witnessed the opening of the Bahrain embassy in Rome, and the signing of agreements in culture, education, air services and health, at a time of the beginning of an advanced stage of diplomatic representation and economic cooperation.
It was also established in 2021 the Bahraini -Italian joint committee, which has become an official platform for following up bilateral projects and enhancing sectoral cooperation, in a reflection of the seriousness of the two parties in developing relations to more comprehensive levels.
One of the most prominent points of convergence between Bahrain and Italy is the interest of the two countries in dialogue between religions and cultures. The University of “Sabinza” in Rome launched the 2018 “King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue”, to embody the Kingdom’s vision in supporting tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
This path was strengthened by visiting Pope Francis to Bahrain in 2022, which was widely resonated in the world, and the Kingdom’s website was confirmed as a land of dialogue, while Italy found – as it embraces the Vatican – a natural partner in this trend. Thus, diplomatic relations turned into a bridge of spiritual and cultural cooperation, beyond the traditional frameworks of international relations.
Relations were not limited to the political side, but rather took a growing economic dimension. The recent years have witnessed remarkable growth in trade exchange, as the Italian ambassador to Manama announced in 2023 that the volume of exchange between the two countries increased by 51% in just two years.
This growth reflects the diversity of areas of cooperation, from renewable energy and infrastructure, through health and education, to modern technologies and innovation. Italy also provided generous credit facilities to support projects in Bahrain, while the Kingdom formed a vital platform for Italian companies wishing to access the Arab Gulf markets and the wider region.
On the political level, Bahraini -Italian relations were marked by a noticeable rapprochement in positions towards regional and international issues. Both countries attach special importance to supporting stability in the Middle East, combating terrorism, and encouraging peaceful solutions to disputes.
In 2024, the Italian Ambassador to Manama, Andrea Catallano, expressed his country’s appreciation for the Bahraini efforts in organizing the 33rd Arab Summit, describing the initiative of His Majesty the great king to call for an international peace conference as a “milestone” in the path of international relations. This reflects an increasing consensus between Manama and Rome on the active role of diplomacy in facing global challenges.
The year 2025 witnessed important stations with the visit of Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to Bahrain, where a strategic agreement was signed that gives Italy the right to sovereignty over its data in the Bahraini cloud computing centers. This agreement reflects the transition of relations to a new level related to the future of the digital economy and cyber security, which establishes Bahrain’s position as a regional center in the fields of modern technology.
Meloni confirmed during the visit that Bahrain represents a “pioneering model for enhancing dialogue between religions and cultures”, praising its growing role on the Arab and international arenas, in a clear political message that bilateral relations have become part of the Italian strategy towards the region.
Last July, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the king of the country, met with the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Georgia Meloni, where His Majesty the King held discussions with the Italian Prime Minister, which dealt with close historical relations, ways to enhance and develop them in all fields, in addition to regional and international developments and developments in common concern.
During the talks, the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East region, and the joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and Italian Prime Minister His Majesty the King congratulated on the occasion of the election of the Kingdom of Bahrain as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2026-2027.
Cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries is no less important than the political and economic aspects. Italian universities have embraced a number of Bahraini students, while Italian institutions participated in cultural activities and exhibitions in Bahrain. Experiences between the two sides are being exchanged in the fields of heritage, arts and history, in a way that enhances mutual understanding, and strengthens popular ties along with official relations.
Bahrain and Italy celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Relations in 2022 was not just a protocol, but rather a station to confirm the depth of links built over five decades. These relations have moved from the stage of traditional diplomatic representation to a strategic partnership that includes politics, economics, culture, religion, and technology.
His Majesty the Great King emphasized on more than one occasion that Bahrain is keen to document its relations with Italy and raise it into wider horizons. On the other hand, the Italian leadership stressed that the Kingdom is a reliable partner and a center for dialogue and regional and international cooperation.
Political and diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Italy today provide a model for the multidimensional partnership. It is not confined to bilateral agreements or mutual visits, but rather reflects a strategic vision based on promoting stability, peace and development, and openness to dialogue and cultural diversity.
With the growing momentum in recent years, the future of these relations appears to be promising to further deep cooperation in the areas of politics, economics, digitization, and culture. Fifty years ago has proven that Bahraini -Italian relations are still able to grow and renew, in the interest of the two friendly peoples, and enhances their position on the regional and international arenas.
