A mission to build new and durable bridges between Italy and the UAE is what motivates the country’s ambassador to the Emirates.
Lorenzo Fanara said he is committed to building a better tomorrow, describing working with the UAE on cultural diplomacy as an antidote to the “sea of troubles” around the world.
In a wide-ranging interview with The National to mark Italian National Day on Sunday, Mr Fanara reflected on the relaunch of relations between the two countries, and on issues from Gaza to illegal immigration.
Italians sometimes forget that part of our identity is also rooted in Arab culture
Lorenzo Fanara,
Italian ambassador to the UAE
He said relations between Italy and the UAE were “really excellent”, with ties spanning the economy, culture, technology, food security and climate.
“There are many sectors where there has been a clear, concrete partnership,” he said.
Italian companies have been in the UAE for decades, operating in everything from construction to afforestation efforts. Marble that adorns the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was quarried in Italy, while an Italian firm completed mosaics on Qasr Al Watan.
Mr Fanara said the UAE and Italy were natural partners for many years but went through challenging times in 2020 and 2021, leading to efforts to “relaunch” their relationship. This was a priority when he was appointed as ambassador in 2022.
He said there had been an “intense political dialogue” over the past few years to achieve this, with 18 visits to the UAE in the past year-and-a-half alone.
“Relations have been relaunched,” he said. “I think we have achieved this goal.”
He highlighted the pivotal visit of Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in 2023, during which she held talks with President Sheikh Mohamed. Relations were upgraded during the visit to a “strategic partnership”.
Mr Fanara said there was an “incredible, strong” personal rapport between the two leaders and also “common ground on how they see the world”.
Cementing this, the Italian mission this month was honoured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its excellence awards, while current statistics show just how successful this relaunch has been.
Bilateral trade reached €8.7 billion ($9.4 billion) in 2023 – up 8.6 per cent on 2022, with €6.6 billion in Italian exports, statistics from the embassy show. In the first two months of 2024 alone, trade has surged by as much as 34.7 per cent on last year.
Around 20,000 Italians call the UAE home – up from about 7,000 10 years ago – with business opportunities driving the increase. The Italian presence ranges from major energy companies such as Eni to sectors from hospitality to construction.
More than 600 Italian companies operate in the Emirates with exports including industrial machines and jewels. A joint venture to build military ships was recently agreed between UAE defence conglomerate Edge and Italy’s Fincantieri.
Mr Fanara said another “fundamental” goal for him was boosting cultural diplomacy.
An Italian film festival takes place next week, while during his tenure the famed Teatro alla Scala from Milan, a Puccini festival and the ballet of the Roma Opera have come to the UAE, which “had a huge impact”.
Moral duty in Gaza
Mr Fanara said Italy had sent humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza, while Italian medics in the UAE had treated Palestinians brought to the Emirates for care.
“We are trying to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population,” he said. “It is not only a political call, but a moral duty.”
The envoy said Italy “strongly and unequivocally” condemned the Hamas attack against the Israeli population on October 7, but Israel also needed to respect international law.
Mr Fanara said humanitarian aid and de-escalation was important and Italy was pursuing this in the context of its G7 presidency with a summit scheduled for June.
Several European countries have recognised the state of Palestine. Mr Fanara said this was their sovereign right but Italy’s position had been consistent for decades.
“There is only one solution for permanent peace – a two-state solution,” he said.
Turning to the EU-led force in the Red Sea that aims to ensure safety of navigation, Mr Fanara said Italy has the tactical command of the operation, which was “not an aggressive” one.
He also highlighted how a Venetian merchant, Gasparo Balbi, was among the first to write about what is now the UAE on his voyages in search of natural pearls in the 16th century. A copy of the book sits in Qasr Al Watan.
“Italians sometimes forget that part of our identity is also rooted in Arab culture,” he said.
Tackling illegal immigration
Mr Fanara has held several important roles during his career, including political counsellor at the Italian embassy to the UK during Brexit and, most recently, ambassador to Tunisia.
It is the latter post that means he is attuned to the immigration issue affecting Italy for the past decade and dominating the agenda in many European countries ahead of the June European Parliament elections.
“I come from the southern part of Sicily, where the island of Lampedusa is located,” he said, referring to the point where many migrants from North Africa arrive in Italy.
“One of the most inhuman tragedies I've ever seen in my life … African people who drowned at sea trying to reach Lampedusa,” he said.
“Once people die … this means all of us, the international community, is defeated. The important thing is also to save lives.”
Mr Fanara said people smuggling was an illegal and immoral business but he was not worried about the elections amid concerns the far-right could exploit immigration fears.
He said Europe needs migration but it had to be legal and regulated, and was a humanitarian issue as much as a political one.
He pointed to the International Conference on Development and Migration in Rome last year, attended by Sheikh Mohamed, where he announced $100 million (Dh367 million) to help countries deal with large numbers of illegal migrants reaching their borders.
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Italy's Giorgia Meloni in 2023 – in pictures
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Fixtures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20April%203%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArsenal%20v%20Luton%20Town%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2C%2011.15pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThursday%2C%20April%204%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELiverpool%20v%20Sheffield%20United%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EJudo%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECycling%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
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British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)
5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
