(by Antonio Deganutti) There are two important elements to be assessed for the future development of the relations of the Saudis with Italy: the media hype for the supply contracts of arms authorized by Saudi Arabia under the 185 law and the recent planned visits by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the West but not in Italy.
From a historical point of view, the relationship between Italy and Saudi Arabia is lost in the mists of time, in the period when Italy was the beacon of Civilization and Romanity spread not only in Europe but partly in the Eurasian continent.
This is evidenced by the discovery of some Roman coins in the northern part of the Arabian peninsula (Al Jawf), by some Italian merchants interested in covering the Silk Road.
This line of East / West trade intersected the "way of pilgrimage" which linked Damascus to the holy city of Mecca.
It was an Italian, such as Ludovico De Varthema, who was the first westerner to walk this path and come safely to Mecca (1503).
The relations between the two countries were established starting from 1932, date of unification of Hijaz and Najd sultanate, with the recognition by Italy of the kingdom, nomenclature immediately transformed into reign of "al-Mamlakat al-'arabiyya al-sa'ūdiyya ''(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia).
During the 1934 and 1935 period, interesting commercial agreements were concluded between Italy and Saudi Arabia, which saw the Italian supply of arms, in particular of Caproni aircraft, backed by imposing oil supplies. The visit of King Al Saud to Italy and the Air Force in the 1935 has remained historic: the photographic documentation of the time today, is exhibited with refinement at the Saudi embassy in Rome.
The parenthesis of the Second World War that saw the neutrality of the Arab country and the suspension of diplomatic relations with Italy, ended with the reopening of the latter starting from the 1946 date that marked the beginning of a thriving period of post-war interchange .
The 50 years saw the multiplication of our workers with ARAMCO, the Saudi national hydrocarbon company.
In 1957, Mattei, by signing a concession contract in Iran based on the 75% -25% formula, shocked the oil world and the concessionaires in Saudi Arabia, part of the seven sisters, were forced to revise the concession formulas hitherto based on 50% - 50%.
However, it was the 70 years that gave a turning point to the relations between the two countries thanks to the construction of petrochemical infrastructures by Italian companies on the Arab territory.
The surge in the price of crude oil, due to the embargo imposed by the main exporters to the West, which supported Israel in the Israeli Arab war of 1973, brought Italy closer to Riyadh.
This move, however, did not take into account the possible international consequences that were soon to arrive: sadly known was the case Eni-Petromin that saw our country succeed in getting the crude at a lower price than the market, bypassing the business cartel US operatives operating in the area (L'intrigo saudita- by Donato Speroni).
Italy later applied to become one of the first 10 client countries of Saudi Arabia with good results.
The situation has changed a lot today, for the future in Saudi Arabia there is talk of security and defense, of the political project called '' Vision 2030 '.
This plan is already underway with a fast implementation speed and very fast decision-making processes.
The intent of the government of Riyadh is to diversify the Saudi economy, to qualify the aerospace industry primarily through joint ventures that provide at least participation in the 50% of the Saudis.
Italy would have many chances to play a leading role for Vision 2030, but it must maintain a consistency of behaviors aimed at strengthening commercial relations and a political persistence in that area.
The constant controversies over the Italian contracts approved by law of arms sales to Saudi Arabia do not help and do not favor future projects of expansion of this activity at least in that country.
Wanting to affirm the ethics of behavior, attacking the commercial activities of our country is wrong in concepts and substance, especially if the goals are internal political struggle: we can not poison the wells that provide "water" to our country, the poison does not distinguish political colors.
As a result, Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit London, Washington and Paris to promote Vision 2030.
Unfortunately, Italy will have to wait and decide how to relate better with Saudi Arabia.