Ankara, October 10, 2024
Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral defense cooperation and regional security challenges with Turkish officials. The trip marks a renewed effort to strengthen ties between the NATO allies amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Crosetto was received by his Turkish counterpart, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, at the Turkish National Defense Ministry, where the two leaders held closed-door talks. Topics included joint defense projects, counterterrorism strategies, and shared concerns over conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“Italy and Turkey play pivotal roles in ensuring stability across the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions,” Crosetto stated during a press briefing. “Our dialogue today reaffirmed the importance of deepening military collaboration and aligning our strategic priorities.”
The ministers also reviewed progress on existing agreements, such as the co-production of defense technologies and naval partnerships. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on enhanced intelligence-sharing and cybersecurity cooperation is expected to be signed before Crosetto’s departure on Thursday.
The visit comes weeks after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the need for “stronger European alliances” during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Analysts suggest Crosetto’s trip signals Italy’s intent to bolster its influence in Eastern Mediterranean security frameworks.
Crosetto is scheduled to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday to address humanitarian crises in Gaza and Ukraine.
