Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan counterpart Abdulhamid Dbeibah discussed strengthening energy cooperation in Rome on Thursday, according to Italian officials.
Italy, heavily dependent on imported energy, is seeking diversification as Gulf turmoil and regional tensions push global fuel prices higher.
Meloni’s office said leaders reviewed ways to strengthen already solid bilateral ties, focusing on economic relations and energy investment.
Both leaders also reaffirmed their shared commitment to managing migration flows across the central Mediterranean route together cooperation efforts framework.
Libya remains Italy’s largest crude oil supplier, covering nearly one-fifth of national imports, underscoring strategic energy dependence for Rome energy.
However, Libyan gas exports to Italy fell to around one billion cubic metres in 2025, from 1.4 bcm in 2024.
The decline stems from supply constraints, rising domestic demand, infrastructure disruptions and political instability affecting the Greenstream pipeline operations capacity.
Italian parliamentary security committee members visited Libya in late April, meeting Dbeibah to discuss expanding energy investment opportunities sector growth.
State-controlled Eni has operated in Libya since 1959, remaining the leading international energy operator with major oil production assets portfolio.
In 2025, Eni recorded about 162,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily output and continues three development projects underway currently progressing.
