bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2026 ITALY IN BAHRAIN 19 Where were your previous postings and how have those experiences shaped your approach to diplomacy and your role in Bahrain? I started my career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 29, 2000. I was then posted to Cairo in 2004 as my first choice, an experience that shaped my personal and professional life in many ways. I regret never having really learned Arabic, but anyone can pinpoint the rough taxi Arabic I picked up in the streets of Cairo. It was there that I met my future wife, and we got married in Cairo in a magical setting. From there, we moved together to Tripoli. As head of the commercial section, I was in charge of implementing the bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Partnership and Cooperation, before helping with the repatriation of nationals and citizens of other friendly nations. We stayed until ordered to leave on March 17, 2011. Our daughter was born in Washington in March 2011 and unwillingly started a similar globetrotting experience. I returned to Tripoli through Misrata on September 1, 2011 to reopen the Embassy. In addition to two separate three-year stints in Rome in charge of North African affairs, I spent around six years in Washington in two different postings dealing with MENA and other issues. None of this would have been possible without the support and partnership of my fantastic family, my wife and daughter, who have accompanied me in this challenging but enriching transcontinental journey. How would you describe Italy–Bahrain relations and their recent progress? The bilateral relations between our two nations are beyond excellent and have significantly improved in the last two and a half years. The biggest signals include the two visits by Prime Minister Meloni, the first ever by an Italian Prime Minister, and reciprocal visits by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Italy stayed in and with Bahrain throughout the aggression in the spring. We never abandoned Bahrain and we are still here. The Italian Government was among the first to react to the request for support by the Bahraini Government. How do November’s events, including the Week of Italian Cuisine, share Italian culture? What connects them and what should readers experience? It has been a challenging year for everyone, so our promotional initiatives, usually spread around the year, will now be concentrated in November. We are looking at blending together cuisine, design, language, Made in Italy and sports. This is our way to approach the people and share Italy and Italian values and excellences with everyone on the island. The connecting line is love and beauty. All the expressions of the Italian “ saper fare” are intimately linked. So please stay tuned for our full programme of events. Which encounters best capture the human connection between Bahrain and Italy? I like to meet new people, including many young people connected to Italy: some who just came back from Italy and some I met before they were travelling there. We established connections and became friends, and I learned from them and they learned from us. They all bring a piece of Italy here and leave a piece of Bahrain in Italy. What better bridge than that? What practical benefits should people and businesses see from these diplomatic ties? The relationship between our two leaderships and our peoples creates the powerful framework in which all kinds of relations can further develop. Our job is to consolidate the fertile soil in which these initiatives can grow and flourish. Once that foundation is in place, governmental, personal and economic projects can prosper, contributing to greater peace, security and shared prosperity. How could the Embassy work with the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance? My alma mater, La Sapienza University in Rome, hosts the King Hamad Chair for Interfaith Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence. A partnership already exists between the Centre and the Catholic Church here in Bahrain. An example of this synergy was San Francesco 800 – A Musical Journey of Faith, which I attended on September 19 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia. Last April, as the region was going through high uncertainty and distress, an interfaith prayer was organised by the Centre, with different traditions and religions coming together as one to pray for peace. As an Embassy, we will strive to strengthen this partnership through further initiatives. What educational and exchange opportunities would you like for Bahraini students and young professionals? The opportunity I want to create is a permanent bridge and a lasting ecosystem for creative entrepreneurship. We can achieve this by launching joint incubators for Bahraini digital designers and Italian product developers to cocreate, while also expanding our joint culinary initiatives into food science, agriculture and sustainable hospitality. Pairing young Bahraini professionals with Italian industry leaders for one-on-one mentorship will provide education and hands-on experience. I would like to see more Bahraini students take advantage of the opportunities offered by Erasmus+ and apply for the Italian Government scholarships, especially this year as the number of scholarships offered through the Embassy of Italy in Bahrain has doubled, creating even greater opportunities for academic growth, cultural exchange and international experience. How do sport and music bring people together beyond formal diplomacy? Through sport, Bahrain and Italy have forged genuine friendships, built on shared values of excellence, determination and mutual respect. Bahrain’s inaugural Grand Prix was won by Michael Schumacher driving for Ferrari, while Bahrain Victorious has featured several distinguished Italian riders. And it is contagious! I started horse riding here in Bahrain. Although I am still a dilettante and have only fallen twice, it is an activity that I will fondly take back with me to Italy! Beyond Rome, Florence and Milan, where would you recommend visiting and why? This is an extremely dangerous question, because whatever answer I give, I am sure I would upset someone! Italy has 20 marvellous regions, each with its own unique identity. If you have already visited the major cities, my advice would be to rent a car, decide on a destination and explore different regions. Go, explore and diversify your experiences. How would you describe your experience with Bahrain’s authorities and community? I’d rather not look only at the wonderful time I have spent here, but at the time I have ahead of me. Throughout my time in Bahrain, I have enjoyed an exceptional relationship with the local authorities at every level. There is a remarkable spirit of cooperation, openness and mutual respect. I left part of my heart in Cairo. For various reasons, many parts are in Washington. Rome is a given, and Libya stays in my heart until today. And now… Bahrain is keeping another piece!
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