Meloni meets with Erdoğan in Ankara to reach an agreement on defense, space, Ukraine, and combating migrant trafficking in Libya.
Italy and Türkiye held a bilateral meeting in Ankara on the sidelines of the NATO summit: strengthening economic ties, strategic cooperation, and international issues were the focus of the discussions.
On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for a meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing key international issues. The meeting took place in a diplomatic context marked by the need to reaffirm the cohesion of the Atlantic Alliance, the role of collective defense, and attention to crisis areas that directly impact European and Mediterranean security.
Meloni congratulates Erdoğan
During the meeting, Meloni congratulated Erdoğan on the outcome of the NATO summit, which she described as positive for its ability to confirm the unity of the Atlantic Alliance and the allies' shared commitment to protecting the transatlantic space. The discussion highlighted in particular the value of collective defense, a cornerstone of the organization, and the centrality of the Southern Flank, an area on which Italy has long insisted to gain greater political, strategic, and operational attention from NATO.
The Southern Flank at the Heart of European Security
The reference to the Alliance's southern flank takes on a particular significance for Rome and Ankara, two countries that share a crucial geographic position in the broader Mediterranean and are directly exposed to the consequences of regional instability. Maritime security, migration flows, crises in the Middle East and North Africa, the presence of hostile actors, and human trafficking are issues closely linked to Europe's stability. In this context, the dialogue between Italy and Turkey is part of a broader strategy of cooperation between NATO partners called upon to address hybrid threats, geopolitical pressures, and transnational risks.
Don't miss the latest news from La Milano: Add us to your favorite sources on Google in just one click.
Bilateral relations and trade
Meloni and Erdoğan then reviewed the state of bilateral relations, confirming their commitment to further strengthen trade and mutual investment. Italy and Turkey have maintained a solid economic relationship for years, supported by industrial supply chains, exports, productive collaborations, and converging interests in strategic sectors. The Ankara meeting confirmed the goal of consolidating this partnership, expanding opportunities for businesses, investors, and the two countries' production systems.
Defense and strategic sectors
Among the areas identified as priorities is the defense industry, a sector in which cooperation between Italy and Turkey is increasingly important in light of the Atlantic Alliance's new security needs. Discussions also encompassed other strategic sectors, with particular attention to space, considered increasingly central to security, research, communications, Earth observation, and technological innovation. The industrial dimension of the bilateral relationship is thus intertwined with the geopolitical one, confirming the increasingly integrated nature of the collaboration between Rome and Ankara.
Turkey's role in the space sector
The upcoming International Astronautical Congress, which Turkey will host in October, was also mentioned in the meeting. The event represents an important showcase for the space sector and confirms Ankara's growing interest in a high-tech sector. For Italy, a country with an advanced space industry and a strong industrial and scientific presence in the sector, the topic opens up further opportunities for collaboration, both in research and in civil and strategic applications.
Ukraine, the Middle East and Iran in the leaders' confrontation
Meloni and Erdoğan also discussed key international issues of common interest, starting with Ukraine, the Middle East, and Iran. These issues directly impact the balance of international security and relations between NATO, the European Union, and regional partners. The war in Ukraine remains a major test for the Atlantic Alliance, while tensions in the Middle East and the Iranian issue continue to pose factors of instability with diplomatic, energy, and military implications.
The Libya dossier and cooperation on migration flows
A specific section of the meeting was dedicated to Libya, a strategic country for the Mediterranean balance and for managing irregular migration. On this point, Meloni and Erdoğan agreed on the importance of further strengthening cooperation in combating irregular migration flows and human trafficking. Libya remains a key hub for migration routes and an area where political interests, border security, institutional stabilization, and the fight against transnational criminal networks intertwine.
An axis of dialogue in the wider Mediterranean
The Ankara bilateral meeting confirms the role of the relationship between Italy and Turkey as an essential channel for dialogue in the broader Mediterranean. Rome and Ankara share interests in security, energy, trade, defense, industry, and regional crisis management, despite sometimes operating in complex contexts marked by differing sensitivities. The meeting between Meloni and Erdoğan reaffirmed the desire to maintain pragmatic cooperation, aimed both at strengthening economic relations and addressing common challenges affecting the Euro-Mediterranean and transatlantic regions.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright La Milano
