Decoding the news. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto travelled to Ankara on Monday for high-level talks with Turkish leaders, focusing on regional security, defence cooperation, and drone joint manufacturing.
- The visit comes ahead of a planned intergovernmental summit in Rome and reflects Italy’s effort to strengthen ties with Turkey.
- Italian Minister met with Turkish Defense counterpart Yaşar Güler and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to address urgent international developments, focusing strongly on Enlarged Mediterranean hotspots and bilateral military cooperation.
Where is the love? The trip underscores Italy’s urgency in strengthening strategic ties with NATO ally Turkey as tensions flare across multiple fronts, including the deteriorating Israeli-Palestinian situation, rising instability in Lebanon and maritime threats in the Red Sea, coordination within NATO on de-escalation strategies, updates on Libya’s fragile political landscape.
- On Tuesday, Italian authorities dismantled a criminal network facilitating illegal immigration between Turkey and Italy. Arrests were carried out in the provinces of Cosenza, Catania, and Catanzaro, as well as in Albania, Germany, Oman, and Turkey, marking a significant international operation.
- The Crosetto’s visit comes just days ahead of the Italy-Turkey intergovernmental summit, which is planned for late April in Rome and expected to include President Erdoğan.
Why Türkiye matters. Ankara is becoming increasingly central to various regional and international power balances.
- It is pivotal in managing complex crises such as the war in Gaza and the fragile stability in Syria.
- Strategically located, Türkiye is also a key player in the Black Sea dynamics and efforts to stabilise Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.
- Beyond its immediate neighbourhood, it has expanded its reach into Africa and is potentially involved in diplomatic efforts toward peace in Ukraine.
What they’re saying. “With President Erdoğan, we discussed defence and NATO deterrence, the European continent, and the potential cooperation between our armed forces,” said Crosetto.
- “A valuable opportunity to deepen discussions on issues of common interest with my Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler. We shared our concern over the ongoing crisis, particularly in the Middle East, with a focus on the situations in Syria and Africa,” the Italian Minister stated.
The sky’s the limit. A major topic is industrial defence cooperation.
- Last month, Leonardo and Baykar signed an MoU to create a joint venture for the co-production of drones like the Akinci and TB2, with operations expected to be launched in 2026 across sites in both countries.
- “The signing of the agreement with Baykar represents a significant step toward an innovative and solid cooperation between two leading players in the defence industry,” Crosetto said.
What we’re watching. If held as planned, the Rome summit could mark a pivotal moment for bilateral collaboration in defence, regional diplomacy, and strategic coordination within NATO.
- “In a rapidly changing world, the relationship between Italy and Turkey is destined to become increasingly central,” Crosetto said.
(Foto: X, @MinisteroDifesa)
