First visit to Turkey by Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni

2024-01-20T21:55:47.983Z

Highlights: First visit to Turkey by Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni. From economic relations to immigration, including the war in Gaza and Ukraine, there is no shortage of important issues between Ankara and Rome. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation, as more and more migrants try in recent years to reach Italy from Turkey by sea. Trade sales, on the rise, exceed 25 billion dollars per year. But contrary to usual practice, the two leaders did not hold a press conference after their meeting.

The head of the Italian government Giorgia Meloni met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday January 20 in Istanbul. From economic relations to immigration, through the war to…

First visit to Turkey by Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni

The head of the Italian government Giorgia Meloni met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday January 20 in Istanbul.

From economic relations to immigration, including the war in Gaza and Ukraine, there is no shortage of important issues between Ankara and Rome, which traditionally maintain good relations.

In this photo released by the Turkish Presidential Press Service, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, right, poses for a photo with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, during their meeting, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, January 20, 2024 .AP

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Istanbul

Anne Andlauer

Giorgia Meloni and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had already met on the sidelines of summits, but this is the first time that the head of the Italian government has made the trip to Turkey.

Their relations could have been difficult: before her election, the far-right leader had attacked the Turkish president several times, accusing him of wanting to import political Islam into Europe and of pursuing an expansionist policy in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

The experience of power got the better of this hostile discourse.

Out of pragmatism, Giorgia Meloni preserves the good relations that unite Rome and Ankara.

Turkey is indeed essential in priority issues for Italy.

Immigration, of course: the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation, as more and more migrants try in recent years to reach Italy from Turkey by sea. Economic cooperation too: trade sales, on the rise, exceed 25 billion dollars per year.

Giorgia Meloni and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan finally discussed regional issues, such as the war in Ukraine and the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

But contrary to usual practice, the two leaders did not hold a press conference after their meeting.

Read alsoItaly: faced with his supporters, Meloni promises more efficiency on the issue of immigration

First visit to Turkey by Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni

First visit to Turkey by Italian head of government Giorgia Meloni

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