Saudi Gazette ON BOARD CARABINIERE, Arabian Gulf — The Italian Navy FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) Carabiniere called at King Abdulaziz Seaport in Dammam on Wednesday for a four-day visit as part of its campaign to develop relations with its potential partners. The main theme of the naval campaign is, thus, maritime safety and surveillance, cooperation and strengthening of naval diplomacy. On board the ship, Italian Ambassador Luca Ferrari was present to welcome the visitors as well as the media persons. Later talking to the media, Ambassador Ferrari stressed the age-old historical ties between Italy and Saudi Arabia and the role of Italy in developing and consolidating industrial base of the Kingdom. "At one point there were 20,000 Italians in the Kingdom associated with multiple industrial activity and today their number is just around 2,000 primarily because they finished their task, prepared and trained Saudi cadre and left to their homeland." The ambassador was all praise for the Vision 2030 and said Italy was in full support of the vision and was ready to cooperate with the Kingdom in all spheres. He underlined the strategic status of the Kingdom and its positive role. "We are always with the Kingdom in its endeavors," he said. Later the commander of the ship, Francesco Pagnotta, gave a brief rundown on his ship's mission and sojourn and a detailed overview of the Italian Navy and its fleet. He said the South East Asia and Australia Campaign started from Italy on Dec. 20, 2016, and it reflected an international vision that converges and outlined the present century as a "blue one". Explaining further, he said the blue growth is considered a key factor for sustainable development of the countries where the sea is a key resource for growth, employment and scientific and technological advancement. Carabiniere has been designed to assure stealth capabilities. It is an anti-submarine ship and capable of taking on anti-piracy campaigns. The air deck of the ship has space for two helicopters and currently it is manned by over 170 officers. Later, Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, whose expertise is in large naval ships, made a presentation on its activities and expressed its readiness to support Saudi Arabia in becoming self-sufficient in its naval capabilities. Stefano Ferraris of Fincantieri presented a brief report on the company's abilities and activities, particularly in the Gulf region. He said Fincantieri is honored to be on board of the ITN Ship Carabiniere during its port call in Dammam. "We want to thank on this occasion all the Saudi Arabian and Italian military and non-military authorities and the press and television networks functionaries for their presence on board. We are in agreement with the Saudi Government Document Vision 2030 and we do hope that the Italian flag on the mast of this ship could always bring with it peace and protection to Italy and its allied countries and strengthen a never-ending friendship between the Saudi and Italian population." Fincantieri has built naval and combat ships for the United Arab Emirates as well as some other Gulf states. It has not yet built a ship for the Saudi Arabia.
