European Defense, NATO, Ukraine, Migration, Trade, Rare Earths, Industry -with emphasis on defense -, energy, terrorism, cybercrime, Syria, Gaza, Libya, culture, environment….
A little bit of everything, which took place in Rome on Tuesday, with the Turkish president and the Italian prime minister promoting, according to the pro -government newspaper Hurriyet, “their cooperation in the areas of defense and the economy, making Israel not be able to hide it”.
“In yesterday’s (29 April) Italian-Turkey summit, it was first confirmed on either side, in a financial landscape of instability and uncertainty, the target of increasing the volume of bilateral trading to $ 40 billion-the $ 30 billion in the $ 30 billion.” Turkish analyst Erkin Ontzan.
According to the Italian prime minister, “the economic, commercial and industrial dimension is a fundamental element of the strategic relationship between Italy and Turkey.” Meloni even described the present bilateral exchanges, commitments and agreements as a “new starting point”. On the sidelines of the meeting, a business forum was held to expand bilateral financial partnerships.
The agenda of the meeting
At the top of the agenda of the meeting was the issue of “irregular” migratory flows from Turkey, which were almost … reset, celebrated the two sides, reflecting and “serving”, according to the Turkish expert, “the growing European”.
“It is now clear that tackling the immigration crisis in Europe is increasingly demanding a solution that will include Turkey. The interruption or restriction of immigration to Europe through Turkey is one of the main driving forces behind Europe-Turkey and Europe’s restrained positive attitude towards Ankara. I also believe that Melon’s emphasis on immigration reflects current expectations from Turkey in the context of this trend, “Ontzan emphasizes.
The defense starred in bilateral conversations. The two parties were first committed “to deepen their defensive cooperation” as part of their NATO alliance, and to “enhance their coordination for European security”, signing a “preliminary protocol” between the Italian Defense Company Leonardo and the Turkish Production Company.
“It is obvious that Washington’s tendency to shift NATO’s weight more in Europe, reassembling its regional military presence, pushes the continent to seek new security partners. Turkey, with its geopolitical position, its balanced relationships with both the West and Russia, and the developing defense industry, has the opportunity to fill this gap, ”commented Ontzan.
“Through defense cooperation, Erdogan’s prestige will be strengthened on the international stage”
The two leaders also referred to the Ukrainian reconstruction conference, which will take place in Rome on July 10-11, and have agreed to boost cooperation between private sector representatives and public bodies “to increase bilateral investments and promote potentially investment projects”.
“Through defense cooperation, Erdogan’s prestige will be strengthened on the international scene,” the Turkish geopolitical analyst argues. Inside Turkey, “it will also find the opportunity to combine diplomatic achievements in Rome with national security rhetoric, thereby presenting a stronger image of the state in the opposition and in various social departments. Whether Europe shifts its security axis to Turkey or not, the Trump factor remains decisive.
The current US government is facing Turkey as a crucial player for its policies regarding Russia, the Middle East and Iran. Therefore, the Erdogan-Trump relationship directly shapes the cost and benefit of Turkey’s steps to the West approach. I notice that Erdogan, in this overall context, sends careful positive messages to both Russia and Europe and to the Trump government, seeking to emerge as the winner of the new era. This strategy will provide him with a diplomatic maneuvering area and an internal political advantage. “
“Georgia Meloni stands out as the fastest adapting to the demands of the new era”
Analysts see the Italian -Turkish approach as “Colpo Grosso” to create Ankara committed against Greece on the EEZ issue, as was the case with Libya. “I believe that Erdogan’s penetration into Europe, through Italy and the war in Ukraine, will not technically become a direct trap on Greece on the issue of the EEZ, but the diplomatic and economic dynamics that can degrade Greek positions on the negotiating table. Ukraine’s agenda and the pressure created by Trump have already driven European countries into the Turkish military and defense industry. If Trump maintains his current attitude towards peace in Ukraine, he continues to prevent the help of the Ukrainians and the responsibility of defending Kiev is ultimately borne by Europe, while Turkey adopts a cooperative stance, it is possible that Europe is likely to “take Europe”.
Finally, what is confirmed by yesterday’s contact between the two leaders, according to our Turkish interlocutor, is that Georgia Meloni “stands out” among Europeans as “the fastest adapting to the demands of the new era. Let us not forget, it was the only European leader who attended Trump’s swearing -in, the first to visit Washington after the imposition of duties and the first political career to openly express anti -immigration and authoritarian tendencies, which are gradually prevailed. Therefore, it is not surprising that, in the potential scenario where Turkey takes over as a prominent defensive position in response to the new needs of Europe, the Italian prime minister promoted and took the first step of convergence with Ankara. “
