President Erdogan to visit Italy on April 17

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reportedly set to visit Italy on April 17 to participate in the 4th Türkiye–Italy Intergovernmental Summit.

During the visit, Erdogan will hold talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The summit is seen as a pivotal moment for both countries.

The meeting comes at a time when European Union leaders increasingly emphasize the necessity of Türkiye’s role in regional security, particularly in light of challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and more.

Strengthening bilateral ties, economic cooperation

Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who has prioritized strong ties with Türkiye since taking office, is expected to explore opportunities for expanding bilateral trade.

In 2024, the trade volume between the two countries reached approximately $32 billion, and both sides aim to increase this figure through enhanced cooperation.

In preparation for the summit, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) has requested input from the business community on priority sectors, potential partnerships, and recommendations to overcome trade-related challenges.

Ahead of the summit, the Italian Embassy in Ankara will host a business event titled “Italy Meets Türkiye” on April 7.

The event will bring together Turkish and Italian companies, offering insights into market dynamics and investment opportunities.

Representatives from trade associations and business leaders from both countries are expected to present key trends and collaboration models.

Focus areas: Defense, energy and regional stability

During their planned meeting, Erdogan and Meloni are expected to discuss cooperation in several critical sectors:

• Defense industry collaboration, including joint projects and technology transfer
• Energy cooperation, particularly in renewable and strategic energy routes
• Regional and global issues, including EU-Türkiye relations, Mediterranean security, and migration

Their latest phone conversation on Jan. 9 also addressed these topics, with both leaders expressing intent to further enhance trade and investment ties.