‘Italy is at your side’: Ambassador reaffirms ties with Qatar at celebration in Doha

Italian Ambassador Paolo Toschi highlighted the strong ties between Italy and Qatar, reaffirming his country’s commitment to diplomacy and defence cooperation as the embassy marked National Unity and Armed Forces Day with an evening of music and celebration in Doha.The Embassy of Italy in Qatar hosted on Wednesday, at The St. Regis Doha, a joint celebration of Italy’s National Day & National Unity and Armed Forces Day, bringing together senior Qatari officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business representatives and the Italian community.Speaking exclusively to Doha News during the celebration, Italy’s Ambassador to Qatar, Paolo Toschi, said the occasion was about more than commemorating historic milestones.“Tonight we celebrate a vision which is Italy’s vision as a country that projects peace and prosperity globally and in this region with a strong commitment to security and diplomacy, a vision that is based, of course, on values,” Ambassador Toschi told Doha News.The ambassador placed particular emphasis on the armed forces and their contributions to the relationship with Qatar.“And we celebrate their [men and women in uniform] great contribution also to the friendship with Qatar, which is why it’s possible for us to look at Italy from the perspective of a country that is closely connected by a great friendship with Qatar and with Doha,” the Italian envoy told Doha News.#Italy’s Ambassador to Qatar, @P_Toschi, said the Italian Embassy’s ceremony in #Doha celebrated Italy’s commitment to peace, security and diplomacy, while honouring the country’s armed forces and their contribution to strengthening ties with #Qatar.Speaking exclusively to Doha… pic.twitter.com/82m67RcNIy— Doha News (@dohanews) November 4, 2026 The event was attended by Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library; Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhro, Director of the Department of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Major General Abdulaziz Falah Al Dosari, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs for Telecommunications and Space Affairs, among various dignitaries.A tribute to unity and serviceThe occasion marked the 80th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946, as well as the National Unity and Armed Forces Day, commemorating the end of the First World War for Italy on 4 November 1918, and the completion of the country’s unification.The ambassador paid tribute to the generations of men and women whose dedication and sacrifices contributed to Italy’s history and national development, particularly members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in service.The ambassador’s remarks were complemented by an address by Defence Attaché Fausto Ricchetti, who highlighted the historical significance of 4 November as Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day, commemorating the end of the First World War and honouring the sacrifices of military personnel who lost their lives or were wounded in wars and international operations.“Their memory teaches us that service is made of courage, responsibility and sacrifice, the envoy said. Turning to bilateral relations, Ambassador Toschi expressed his appreciation to Qatar’s Armed Forces and internal security forces [Lekhwiya] for their close partnership with their Italian counterparts, highlighting the progress achieved over the past four years through joint training activities and exercises involving the Italian Army, Air Force, Navy and Carabinieri. A relationship built on diplomacy, rooted in historyIn his address to the guests, Ambassador Paolo Toshi described the past year as challenging but said Italy and Qatar could look ahead together, reiterating his country’s solidarity with Doha, telling the audience, “And in particular we want to tell Qatar that Italy is at your side”.The Italian ambassador, who assumed office in 2022, paid tribute to the late Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, acknowledging his role in shaping modern Qatar and recalling their personal encounters.“I had the pleasure and the honour of meeting him on many occasions, spending time witnessing his vision, his passion for people, his love for family, and luckily for us, his great love for Italy,” the envoy said.The ambassador stressed that the relationship between Italy and Qatar went beyond traditional diplomatic engagement, with culture, art, architecture and design playing an important role in bringing the two nations closer.Italy backs Qatar’s diplomatic effortsIn his remarks on Qatar-Italy bilateral relations, Toschi highlighted the strong political engagement between Doha and Roma, particularly the close relationship between the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.The ambassador said the two leaders had met officially three times during the year, describing their engagement as an important source of momentum for relations between the two countries.“Italy has supported and recognised the role that Qatar plays as a mediator,” Ambassador Toschi said. “Italy lends its full support to the mediations by Qatar and other partners.”“We believe that as Europeans, we must support diplomacy to solve this crisis because it is the only path forward. There’s no alternative to diplomacy,” the Italian ambassador said.Ambassador Paolo Toschi added that Italy would continue working towards this objective while supporting freedom of navigation through its armed forces and European Union instruments.A touch of La Dolce Vita in DohaDescribing the La Dolce Vita‘s message as an invitation to appreciate beauty and life, the Italian ambassador said: “Life must aspire to beauty in order to inspire us and to elevate us.”The evening also featured live performances celebrating Italian cinema, with singer Cristina Zavalloni joined by Stefano Senni on double bass, Manuel Magrini on piano and Cristiano Arcelli on saxophones.The musicians performed selections from Federico Fellini’s films, including La Dolce Vita, Amarcord and 8½. Zavalloni performed the iconic La Dolce Vita and Parlami di Me from La Dolce Vita and Il Tempo Passa from 8½, while Amarcord and Tutti a Vedere il Rex from Amarcord were also presented, with scenes and pictures from the film played in the backgroundThe ambassador also highlighted the growing cultural partnership between the two countries through initiatives such as Qatar Creates and Design Doha, recognising Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani’s role in fostering cultural collaboration.Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon and Ukraine among Italy’s international concernsTurning to the wider regional and international situation, the ambassador outlined Italy’s concerns over several ongoing conflicts, particularly the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.“A grave daily concern remains for us the situation in Gaza and in the West Bank,” Toschi said. “We keep on working, speaking of diplomacy, working for a state of Palestine that is safe, that is secure, and is at peace,” the Italian ambassador said.On regional security, the envoy highlighted Italy’s continued engagement in support of Lebanon and its institutions, describing the country’s stability as an important concern.The Itakian ambassador also addressed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, noting that civilians continued to be affected by attacks.