2024-01-20 18:59:00
20.01.2024 19:59
(Akt. 20.01.2024 19:59)
Italy’s Prime Minister visits Istanbul ©APA/TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni traveled to Turkey on Saturday to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This is Meloni’s first international mission since Italy took over the G-7 presidency earlier this year. The topic of strengthening cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration was discussed during the talks, according to Italian government circles.
Cooperation between the two countries led to a 56 percent decrease in irregular migration flows along the Italy-Turkey corridor last year, Rome said. It was said that the cooperation should also become increasingly closer with regard to the stabilization of Libya, with which the respective foreign ministries want to conclude an agreement soon.
The meeting also discussed the issue of security and development in the Mediterranean region, with particular attention to the African continent. Meloni is planning an Italy-Africa summit in Rome as part of the Italian G-7 presidency. The issue of the war between Israel and Hamas and the Ukraine conflict were also discussed, according to Italian government sources.
Meloni thanked Erdogan for Ankara’s diplomatic mediation efforts to release grain shipments from Ukrainian ports after Russia did not renew the agreement in July. The two leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral economic ties and the meeting of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) later this year.
Italy will take over the presidency of the G-7, the group of seven leading industrial nations, at the beginning of 2024. Prime Minister Meloni, who has been in office since October 2022, wants to use this to make a name for herself in foreign policy. The focus should therefore be on the topic of migration. The heads of state and government of the G-7 are scheduled to meet from June 13th to 15th in Puglia in southern Italy – a region that has always been considered a bridge between West and East.
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