In Rome on Tuesday, a series of collaboration agreements, encompassing the defense sector, were formalized in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. These accords are part of a broader initiative to fortify the relationship between Turkey and Italy, two influential countries bordering the Mediterranean.
The occasion for Erdogan’s presence in Rome was the fourth Intergovernmental Summit between these two nations, an event designed to enhance cooperative endeavors in trade and other sectors. This visit aligns with a period of strengthened defense relations, marked notably by a March agreement where Turkey’s leading drone producer, Baykar, teamed up with Italy’s Leonardo to potentially collaborate on unmanned aerial vehicle production. Additionally, Baykar had previously expanded its reach by acquiring Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace last year.
Both leaders noted the successful attainment of their $30 billion trade target between Turkey and Italy. In light of this success, they have ambitiously set a new goal to raise trade volume to $40 billion, underscoring the expanding economic ties between the two countries. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s dedication to further solidifying partnerships with Italy, particularly in the defense arena. “We will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Italy, which has made significant progress in the field of defense industry, with new partnerships and projects,” stated Erdogan.
Italy regards Turkey as an essential partner in its efforts to manage migration and ensure regional stability. Prime Minister Meloni expressed gratitude to Erdogan, noting that collaborative strategies with Turkey had effectively reduced the number of migrants originating from Turkish shores to “zero.” Erdogan reaffirmed this shared commitment, pledging ongoing cooperation with Italy in tackling irregular migration in the future.
Another critical topic of discussion between the two leaders was Syria’s redevelopment, with plans for further consultations to explore potential collaborative efforts in this area. This indicates a shared interest in strategic international issues, which might further align their diplomatic and economic agendas moving forward.