Key facts
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting Norway.
- The visit aims to deepen cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and defense.
- Meloni will meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.
- The trip seeks to promote bilateral investment.
- Italian defense group Leonardo and shipbuilder Fincantieri executives will accompany Meloni.
- Italy is seeking to diversify energy supplies amid market volatility.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is undertaking an official visit to Norway, the first by an Italian leader in nearly 15 years, to enhance bilateral cooperation. The visit, which began on Thursday, focuses on strengthening ties in energy, critical minerals, and defense sectors. Meloni is scheduled to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere in Oslo and participate in a dinner aimed at fostering investment between the two countries.
The trip is part of Italy's broader strategy to diversify its energy sources amidst market volatility, particularly in light of the conflict involving the U.S. and Iran. Meloni has recently visited other key gas-producing nations, including Algeria and Azerbaijan, to bolster energy relations. Norwegian energy group Vaar Energi is majority-owned by Italy's Eni.
Discussions between Meloni and Stoere are also expected to cover significant international issues such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine and developments in the Arctic region, which Italy views as a strategic area for enhanced collaboration. Executives from Italian defense group Leonardo and shipbuilder Fincantieri are accompanying Meloni on this visit.