"What needs to be done in Africa is to build cooperation and serious strategic relationships as equals, not predators," Meloni told a news conference this month. Founder Mattei expanded Italy's presence in Africa, presenting his company as a friendly alternative to U.S. and French oil majors. But climate change experts question the wisdom of sinking significant new investments into gas infrastructure when existing projects already guarantee Italy's energy security. Meloni is not the first Italian leader to seek better ties with Africa and draw a veil over Italy's fraught colonial legacy, which Rome has never wanted to confront. "My goal is to work in Africa and block the departures in Africa," she said this month.

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Persons: Crispian Balmer ROME, Giorgia Meloni, Enrico Mattei, Meloni, Arturo Varvelli, Mattei, Crispian Balmer, Alison Williams Organizations: Eni, United Arab, European Council, Foreign Relations, Union, European Commission Locations: Rome, Italian, Italy, Africa, Europe, China, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Meloni, Ukraine