Turkey, Italy talk economic ties in videoconference
The latest sign of friendship between Turkey and Italy comes amid otherwise tense Turkey-Europe relations, largely due to Turkey's plan to drill in Greek and Cypriot waters.
Turkey and Italy want to continue economic cooperation with each other, officials from both countries said today.
Turkish Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan spoke with Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio via videoconference on Thursday. The two discussed trade, imports of EU steel and the EU-Turkey Customs Union, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said the two discussed trade by air, sea and land.
Turkey and Italy are both members of the G-20 and important economies in the Mediterranean region. Italy is Turkey’s fourth largest export market, according to Anadolu Agency.
The conference is the latest sign of friendliness between Turkey and Italy at an otherwise low point in Turkey-Europe relations. In June, the Turkish and Italian navies participated in a joint drill in the Mediterranean. Also in June, Italy met with leaders of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and described the north African nation as a “priority” for Rome. Turkey is the main international backer of the GNA. In May, both the Turkish and Italian embassies were shelled in GNA-controlled Tripoli during an offensive by Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army.
