Turkey and Italy have committed to enhancing their defence cooperation and expanding bilateral trade following high-level talks between their leaders in Rome.
Both countries emphasized the importance of new joint defence projects and initiatives aimed at fostering closer economic ties. The move signals a strengthening of their strategic partnership in the defence sector, as well as a shared interest in boosting mutual trade relations.
This development underscores the growing collaboration between two key NATO allies, aiming to further their influence in regional and global affairs.
EasyJet Offers Passenger Support Amid Ongoing Strike in Italy
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili for an intergovernmental summit which also involved ministers from both countries.
“We will continue to strengthen our defence industry cooperation with Italy, which has made significant progress, with new partnerships and projects,” Erdogan said, during a joint statement with the Italian leader in front of reporters.
Italy’s Leonardo and Turkey’s Baykar announced in March that they were setting up a joint venture to produce unmanned aerial vehicles, a deal that Meloni called “significant”.
“(That) will allow us to enhance respective strengths, open up new market opportunities, especially in Europe,” Meloni said.
Denmark’s King Frederik Visits Greenland Amid Trump’s Arctic Territory Interest
The two leaders also announced a new annual target of $40 billion in trade volume between the two countries.
Meloni said over 400 Italian companies operated in Turkey and trade reached $32 billion last year.
Following the meeting, ministers from the two countries exchanged memorandums covering various sectors, as a business forum involving companies from both countries took place in a hotel near the centre of the Italian capital.
