
Turkey and Italy strengthen ties with trade and defence agreements
Mr Erdogan was in Rome to attend a fourth so-called Intergovernmental Summit between Italy and Turkey that aims to boost trade and co-operation.
Advertisement
His visit comes at a time when Turkey and Italy have expanded defence partnerships.
In March, Turkey's leading drone manufacturer, Baykar, reached a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture with Italy's Leonardo for production of unmanned aerial vehicles. Last year, Baykar bought Italian aircraft producer Piaggio Aerospace.
Speaking after their meeting, Ms Meloni and Mr Erdogan said that Turkey and Italy have successfully reached their 30 billion-dollar (£22.3 billion) trade volume target and have now set a new goal of 40 billion dollars (£29.8 billion), signalling further economic collaboration.
'We will continue to strengthen our co-operation with Italy, which has made significant progress in the field of defence industry, with new partnerships and projects,' Mr Erdogan said.
Advertisement
Italy sees Turkey as a key partner in managing migration numbers and maintaining stability in the region.
On Tuesday, Ms Meloni thanked Mr Erdogan, saying joint measures by Turkey and Italy had resulted in the number of migrants originating from Turkey dropping to 'zero'.
Mr Erdogan said: 'We will continue our co-operation with Italy in the field of combating irregular migration in the coming period.'
The Turkish leader also said the sides had discussed possible co-operation towards Syria's redevelopment and would hold more consultations on the issue.
Advertisement
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
MP resigns as trade envoy over northern Cyprus visit
A government spokesman told the BBC Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday. Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognised by the UK Government, was to visit his nephew and to receive an honorary degree. He said he had paid for the trip himself. Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974. Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Mr Khan's resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.


South Wales Guardian
7 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
MP resigns as trade envoy over northern Cyprus visit
A government spokesman told the BBC Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday. Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognised by the UK Government, was to visit his nephew and to receive an honorary degree. He said he had paid for the trip himself. Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974. Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Mr Khan's resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.


Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
MP resigns as trade envoy over northern Cyprus visit
A government spokesman told the BBC Afzal Khan, who represents Manchester Rusholme, had stepped down from his position on Friday. Mr Khan said the trip to the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not recognised by the UK Government, was to visit his nephew and to receive an honorary degree. He said he had paid for the trip himself. Turkish troops have occupied the northern section of the Mediterranean island since 1974. Shadow foreign minister Wendy Morton told the BBC that she welcomed Mr Khan's resignation, but said Sir Keir Starmer should have sacked him earlier.