ANKARA: Italy and Türkiye are tightening coordination before this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, with both countries placing new focus on the alliance’s southern flank.
Italian political magazine Formiche said Rome and Ankara were seeking to link Atlantic commitments with Mediterranean priorities, including Libya, migration and industrial cooperation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before the summit.
Both leaders reaffirmed support for transatlantic relations and NATO collective defence. They also stressed the strategic role of the southern flank.
The leaders discussed Libya, including efforts to combat irregular migration and human trafficking. They also reviewed political pressure aimed at Libya’s institutional normalisation, according to the analysis.
Meloni and Erdoğan agreed to meet in Ankara during the NATO summit and deepen bilateral ties across several sectors.
The recent industrial cooperation included the launch of the Italian-built Grande Istanbul at Autoport in Türkiye’s Kocaeli port complex.
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The vessel, commissioned by Italy’s Grimaldi Group, can carry up to 9,241 CEUs and forms part of a 17-ship next-generation carrier programme.
An accompanying “Allies in Ankara” forum is also scheduled on the summit sidelines. The event will bring together policymakers, experts and opinion leaders from NATO member and partner countries.
