Newsletters
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations, regional issues and global developments with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a phone call Friday, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.
During the call, Erdogan said Türkiye is working to strengthen cooperation with Italy in all areas, particularly in the defense industry, according to a statement posted by the directorate on U.S. social media platform X.
Erdogan stressed the importance of taking new steps to further improve bilateral ties between Ankara and Rome.
He also said Türkiye expects next week's NATO leaders' summit in Ankara to strengthen unity among allies.
Meloni is expected to attend the summit, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Erdogan's call with Meloni came ahead of the NATO leaders' summit in Türkiye, where alliance members are expected to discuss security, defense and regional challenges.
The Turkish president said Ankara wants to deepen cooperation with Italy, particularly in the defense industry.
The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues, according to the Communications Directorate.
The statement did not provide further details on the regional issues discussed during the phone call.
2 min read
The call also followed Erdogan's remarks at the NATO Parliamentary Summit held at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, where he called for the alliance to build an "unconditional" security and defense network stretching "from Texas to Ankara."
Speaking to allied parliamentarians, Erdogan said excluding Türkiye's defense capabilities from European security initiatives over "narrow political interests" benefits no one.
He described Istanbul as "a crossroads of continents and cultures" and said the parliamentary gathering was an important moment of preparation and solidarity ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8.
Erdogan said Euro-Atlantic security is passing through a historic threshold, pointing to developments along NATO's eastern and southeastern borders.
"The threats of war, crisis, terrorism and irregular migration occurring particularly along our alliance's eastern and southeastern borders make it necessary for us to reshape our understanding of security," he said.
His remarks came as Türkiye prepares to host NATO leaders in Ankara, with Meloni among the leaders expected to attend.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
