The President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, co-chaired today in Rome the 4th Italy-Türkiye Intergovernmental Summit.

The Summit was held with the participation of:

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan; Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş; Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy; Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler; Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır; Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat; Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak from Türkiye.

Minister of Interior, Matteo Piantedosi; Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti; Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso; Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli; Minister of Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; Minister of Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli from Italy.

After concluding their thorough discussions, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and the President of the Republic of Türkiye agreed on the following Joint Declaration:

Italy and Türkiye

1. Italy and Türkiye, as NATO Allies and partners in the G20 will continue their close cooperation and coordination on regional and international matters.  Italy and

Türkiye make significant contributions to international peace and stability in Europe and beyond. They aim at enhancing their cooperation through regular consultations at all levels.

2. The Summit has convened at a time of important developments on a regional and global scale, such as the Ukraine-Russia war, emerging debates on the European security architecture as well as international trade, the dire situation in Gaza, continued challenges like irregular migration and climate change, calling for a coherent response and effective collaboration.
3. The Parties reiterated their agreement to hold the Intergovernmental Summit on a regular basis and to convene the fifth Summit in Türkiye.

Türkiye-EU Relations

4. Recognising the contributions of Türkiye to the stability and prosperity of the entire European continent, the Parties underlined the importance of developing relations between the EU and Türkiye, taking into account Türkiye’s candidate status to the accession.

In this vein, the Parties agreed to coordinate their efforts to achieve concrete results in key areas such as accelerating the Türkiye-EU Visa Liberalisation Dialogue, renewing cooperation on migration and strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation. The Parties also emphasised the urgent need for the modernisation of the Türkiye-EU Customs Union, which will have potential benefits for both sides.

Economy, Trade and Industry

5. The Parties emphasised their determination to enhance cooperation on the economy and trade and to identify and implement new approaches aiming at strengthening development in these areas.
6. The Parties welcomed that the bilateral trade volume in 2024 surpassed their common target of 30 billion USD. Taking into account the deepening bilateral trade and economic relations, they set a new mid-term target of reaching a trade volume of 40 billion USD.

7. The Parties agreed to work together to achieve the new target and in this regard to hold the Third Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) Meeting in Türkiye in the fourth quarter of 2025. Thereby they also welcomed the holding of the Business Forum on the margins of today’s Summit.
8. The Parties believe that direct investments between the two countries constitute an important aspect of their economic relations. Hence, they decided to further encourage the Italian and Turkish in order to increase the level of direct investments, also through industrial cooperation, promoting technology transfer based on mutually agreed terms and supporting the deployment of key technologies in industries.

9. The Parties also expressed their willingness to advance cooperation in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Transportation

10. The Parties recognised the vital role of transport corridors in both maintaining global supply chains and contributing to social and economic development; expressed their satisfaction on the existing maritime relations and committed to further enhancing them. Underscoring the importance of road transport in increasing trade relations, the Parties acknowledged the results of the last Joint Committee on Road Transport.
11. The Parties agreed to further strengthen civil aviation relations between the two countries.

Defence

12. Within the framework of the decisions taken at the recent NATO Summits as well as of the Strategic Concept, the Parties stressed their determination to strengthen their cooperation on the basis of the 360-degree approach, in particular on issues such as threats and multifaceted challenges emanating from the Southern Flank of the Alliance, especially on the fight against terrorism.

The Parties confirmed their willingness to enhance the NATO-EU Strategic partnership as agreed, and reaffirmed the importance of fullest possible involvement of Non-EU Allies in EU’s defence efforts for the development of this partnership.

Defence Industry

13. Referring to the successfully concluded joint projects of the Italian and Turkish defence industry companies in recent years and the political will to further this cooperation, the Parties acknowledged the fact that defence industry plays a key role both in terms of their current and prospective relations and therefore will continue to strengthen dialogue and collaboration in this sector.

In line with this understanding, both Parties decided to hold the 14th Defence Industry Cooperation Meeting in 2025, as well as to mutually organise high-level visits and technical meetings in order to amplify the depth of bilateral defence relations with a view to elevating their level so as to set an example for Allies.

The Parties also reaffirmed their commitments to enhance defence industrial cooperation within NATO and to endeavour for bolstering joint efforts towards a stronger European defence industry.

Security

14. The Parties welcomed the momentum gained in bilateral cooperation in the fight against transnational organised crime and reiterated their commitment to deepening their collaboration, particularly in addressing the nexus between organised crime and the financing of terrorism.
15. The Parties agreed to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation with the following aims:
    • identify and assess threats and common challenges to the security of the two respective countries;
    • identify the areas in which it is necessary to reinforce strategic cooperation also by defining common initiatives and actions;

• promote the exchange of methods, good practices and expertise in order to prevent the most serious forms of crime, including terrorism, transnational organised crime and cybercrime.

16. The Parties also agreed to coordinate their efforts for strengthening judicial cooperation on extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of sentenced persons and the protection of children within the framework of the Council of Europe Conventions to which both States are Parties, prioritising mutual legal assistance in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
17. The Parties, as NATO allies, emphasized their commitment to strengthening their bilateral cooperation on combating terrorism to enhance regional and international stability in an increasingly complex security environment.
18. In this context, the Parties also highlighted that reinstatement of “Italy-Türkiye Counter-Terrorism Consultations” is of importance as these consultations are built on a strong partnership between the two strategically important regional actors.

Culture, Science, Youth, Sports

19. The Parties confirmed their commitment to further strengthen the existing cooperation both at bilateral and multilateral levels in the fields of culture, science, youth, arts, music, choreographic training, innovation and archives on the basis of the Cultural Agreement of 1951.
20. The Parties agreed to encourage mutual circulation of artworks through exhibitions and joint projects, also joint works in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
21. The Parties acknowledged the significant role of sports and the promotion of sport integrity in fostering personal development, social cohesion, and sustainable growth, including for persons with disabilities.
22. The Parties underlined their will to support promotional activities, taking into account the impact of tourism in fostering interaction between peoples.

Energy and Environment

23. The Parties emphasized the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor in the context of strengthening energy supply security and diversifying resources and welcomed their solid cooperation as partners. They reiterated their commitment to advance collaboration, acknowledging the inclusive value of energy as a factor of common growth, security and prosperity, including the Mediterranean Region.
24. The Parties have emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to ensure the security of the supply chains in critical minerals and rare earth elements, considering their key role in the global clean energy transition.
25. The Parties, considering the high potential for enhancing cooperation in the field of clean energy, agreed to strengthen their collaboration in renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen, and natural gas infrastructure.

The Parties agreed to explore possible ways to further cooperate, including in joint projects in the oil and gas sector in their countries as well as in third countries.

26. The Parties expressed their will to enhance cooperation through joint projects and exchange information in areas such as green transformation and Zero Waste. The Parties also committed to developing innovative solutions for the reduction of emissions and the adaptation to the impacts of climate change, in accordance with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Cooperation in International Fora

27. The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to pursue regular strategic dialogue with a view to contributing to regional and international peace, security and stability as well as multilateralism, with the United Nations (UN) at its core. In this context, they expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing bilateral cooperation within the UN, including for the reform of the UN Security Council within the Uniting for Consensus group. They also pledged to uphold the three pillars of the UN system, namely peace and security, development, and human rights.

28. The Parties also underlined the significance of cooperation in promoting peace and stability in third countries and regions, on the basis of respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states; in advancing good neighbourly relations and enhancing economic development as well as regional connectivity.

Irregular Migration

29. The Parties discussed the current trends related to irregular migration, including migration routes, cooperation areas in countering irregular migration.
30. The Parties stressed the importance of international cooperation in combatting irregular migration. The Parties agreed on the need for an approach that considers innovative solutions and also tackles the root causes of migration, while offering and diversifying channels for regular migration.

31. The Parties emphasised their determination to continue and contribute to the relentless fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking in a manner that respects international law and human dignity.

Combating Religious Intolerance

32. The Parties expressed their will to cooperate towards the goal of effectively combating intolerance, xenophobia and discrimination based on religion or belief, in all its forms and manifestations.

Eastern Mediterranean Region

33. As two maritime countries, the Parties agreed on promoting freedom of navigation and inclusive cooperation in the Mediterranean in the face of increasing risks such as environmental issues, climate change, energy, security and irregular migration.
34. The Parties reiterated the importance of resolving maritime boundary disputes by agreement on the basis of international law, in order to achieve an equitable solution.

35. The Parties noted that the holding of a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, provided that the necessary conditions are met, might be an opportunity to establish cooperation in the region.

Ukraine

36. The Parties confirmed their unwavering support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as their will to continue their efforts to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine as soon as possible.

With a view to the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine in Rome on 10-11 July, they agreed to foster cooperation between their private sector representatives and public agencies to increase bilateral investments and promote possible mutual investment projects in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Libya

37. The Parties confirmed their commitment to support a Libyan owned and led political process under the facilitation of the United Nations with the aim of preserving Libyan security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.

Syria

38. The Parties underlined their commitment to the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria and ensuring that Syrian territory does not pose a threat to the region or beyond.

They emphasized the importance of an inclusive political process which would result in a country where each and every member of the communities in Syria would feel secure and safe and enjoy their rights based on constitutional citizenship.

39. The Parties expressed their determination to support the economic recovery and the reconstruction of Syria, in an ameliorated business and investment environment through the easing of sanctions, to the best possible extent, and coordinate their efforts.

40. The Parties also agreed to seek ways of cooperation in assisting Syria in her efforts towards combatting terrorism, extremism and facilitating voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Syrians also through cooperation with relevant UN agencies such as UNHCR and IOM. In this context, they called on the international community to become more engaged with Syria.

Middle East

41. The Parties will continue to work together for peace and stability in the Middle East. They call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735, and full implementation of the agreement on the ceasefire and release/exchange of hostages and detainees that went into effect on January 19th, with a view to a permanent cessation of hostilities, delivery of uninterrupted humanitarian assistance and initiating the recovery and reconstruction process.
42. The Parties confirm their support for a two-State solution with an independent State of Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

The following agreements and documents were signed on the occasion of the Summit:

1. “Joint Statement on Enhancing Bilateral Trade Relations”
2. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields Of Science, Technology, Innovation, Industry and Investment between The Ministry of Enterprises and Made In Italy of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye”
3. “Memorandum of Understanding between The Italian Space Agency of the Italian Republic and The Turkish Space Agency of the Republic of Türkiye on Cooperation in the Field of Space Activities for Peaceful Purposes”

4. “Memorandum of Understanding between The Ministry of Culture of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye on Fight against the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects”
5. “Memorandum of Understanding on the Museum Cooperation and the Promotion of Archaeological Heritage”
6. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Youth and Sports between The Department For Sport and The Department For Youth Policies and Universal Civic Service under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye”
7. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Social Services between The Minister for Disabilities – Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye”
8. “Memorandum of Understanding Between The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye on Cooperation in the Utilization of International Transport Corridors”
9. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between The General Directorate of Archives of the Ministry of Culture of the Italian Republic and The Directorate of State Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye”
10. “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Social Services between The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Italian Republic and The Ministry of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Türkiye”