The leaders of Italy and Turkey have announced plans to enhance cooperation in the defence industry through new projects, while also strengthening bilateral trade.
Media Talk Africa reports that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met at the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili for an intergovernmental summit, which also involved ministers from both nations.
“We will continue to strengthen our defence industry cooperation with Italy, which has made significant progress, with new partnerships and projects,” Erdogan said during a joint statement with the Italian leader in front of reporters.
Italy’s Leonardo and Turkey’s Baykar announced in March that they were establishing a joint venture to produce unmanned aerial vehicles—a deal Meloni described as significant.
“(That) will allow us to enhance respective strengths, open up new market opportunities, especially in Europe,” Meloni said.
The two leaders also announced a new annual trade target of $40 billion between their countries.
According to Meloni, over 400 Italian companies currently operate in Turkey, and bilateral trade reached $32 billion last year.
Following the summit, ministers from both countries exchanged memorandums covering various sectors, while a business forum involving companies from both sides was held at a hotel near the centre of the Italian capital.
