Türkiye-Italy summit promises positive developments: Ambassador

Turkish Ambassador to Rome Elif Comoglu Ulgen said the fourth Türkiye-Italy Intergovernmental Summit, set to take place on Tuesday in Rome, is expected to bring “good news” for bilateral relations.

Ulgen made her remarks to Anadolu Agency (AA) ahead of the summit.

Summit marks a new chapter in bilateral relations

Ulgen, who assumed her post in Rome earlier this month as Türkiye’s first female ambassador to the Italian capital, expressed optimism about the summit.

“We are very excited. I believe all Turks here share the same excitement. We have been preparing for this summit with all our institutions for a long time,” Ulgen said.

She emphasized the mutual enthusiasm between the Turkish and Italian sides and noted that Turkish officials are in close contact with their Italian counterparts to ensure a successful event.

“This summit became the most important target in our bilateral relations from the moment I assumed my position,” Ulgen added.

Expanding political and economic ties

Commenting on the current state of relations, Ulgen said political ties have become increasingly important amid evolving global dynamics, including the review of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

She highlighted opportunities for deeper cooperation between Türkiye and Italy across broader regions, such as Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East.

“These developments offer excellent grounds for closer collaboration in foreign policy and contribute significantly to political relations,” she stated.

Trade volume reaches record high

Ulgen praised the role of the private sector in strengthening bilateral ties, noting the sharp increase in trade volume between the two countries.

“In 2019, trade volume was around $10 billion. By the end of 2024, it had reached $32.2 billion,” she said.

She expressed confidence that the summit will set new targets and that the business community, expected to participate actively in the summit, will embrace these goals with enthusiasm.

Ulgen pointed out that traditional sectors such as automotive, iron and steel, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food have underpinned trade relations, while emerging sectors like artificial intelligence and R&D-based industries are creating new opportunities.

“We have already seen dynamic synergies, especially in the defense industry,” she noted.

Cultural cooperation and tourism prospects

The ambassador also underscored the importance of cultural cooperation, recalling the recent closure of the Gobeklitepe Exhibition at Rome’s Colosseum by Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

“Culture forms a deep-rooted, strong foundation in our bilateral relations. We can expect good news from the summit on this front as well,” she said.

Regarding tourism, Ulgen said, “While some consider us rivals in tourism with Italy, we view it as a complementary relationship.”

She noted that nearly 750,000 Italian tourists visited Türkiye by the end of 2024 and that the goal is to raise this number to one million in the near term.

Addressing visa challenges for Turkish students

Ulgen highlighted that an increasing number of Turkish students are choosing Italy for higher education.

“I believe that wherever they work after completing their studies—whether in Italy, Türkiye, or elsewhere—they will serve as natural ambassadors,” she said.

Addressing recent visa challenges faced by Turkish students, Ulgen acknowledged the issues and assured that efforts are ongoing.

“As the voice of our citizens, we are raising these concerns at every level. We are working closely with the Italian Embassy in Ankara with goodwill, and efforts continue to resolve these problems,” she said.

Looking ahead to the summit

When asked about her expectations from the summit, Ulgen said, “Let’s say our summit is poised to bring good news.”

She concluded by emphasizing that international politics, changing trade dynamics, and the fast-paced global environment are pushing Türkiye and Italy—two strong Mediterranean allies—to take on even greater responsibility, politically and economically.