Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Italy, and the world, may face energy shortages if the escalating crisis in the Middle East continues.
In a video recording that she broadcast on her social media accounts, Meloni explained that any shake-up of stability in the Gulf region will directly reflect on energy prices, and thus on companies and job opportunities, all the way to the purchasing power of Italian families, according to Sputnik.
She emphasized the pivotal role that the Arabian Gulf plays in the global energy market, explaining that any decline or disruption in oil production there will inevitably lead to a rise in energy prices worldwide.
She added: “If the situation worsens, we may find ourselves facing a crisis in which we do not have sufficient amounts of energy, even in Italy.”
In a related context, Italian media reported that the authorities in Rome have begun implementing restrictive measures on refueling aircraft at four airports: Linate in Milan, Venice, Treviso, and Bologna.
Meloni’s statements come after a tour she made in a number of Gulf countries on Friday and Saturday, where she indicated that these countries provide about 15% of Italian oil imports.
