Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Italy in the first half of 2025 for a new intergovernmental meeting Italy – Turkey, reported the Anatolian Agency, quoted by BTA.
During a phone call yesterday, Meloni and Erdogan focused on the strength of bilateral relations, stressing the importance of continuing to work to further consolidate sustainable growth in trade, the Italian government said in a statement.
Melloni affirmed Israel's right to defend itself, but also stressed the need to increase humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The Italian Prime Minister and the Turkish President underlined the common commitment to calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
„Regarding the latter, Meloni stressed the crucial role of (the UN mission in Lebanon) UNIFIL and the need for the safety of this mission to be guaranteed at all times,” the Italian government statement said.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Communications of the Turkish Presidency, President Erdogan praised Rome's response to Israel's aggression in the region, emphasizing Turkey's determined efforts for peace in the Middle East.
He also told Meloni that support from Rome would strengthen Ankara's position in efforts at the United Nations to stop arms sales to Israel.
„President Erdogan stressed the importance of the international community acting together to stop Israeli aggression and noted that Italy's support for Turkey's UN initiative to stop arms sales to Israel will strengthen this effort,” it said. in the statement.
The Turkish president said that Israel's attacks on Palestinian territories, including Gaza, as well as attacks on Lebanon and UN peacekeeping forces there, are unacceptable.
Israel has launched a major air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it describes as “Hezbollah” targets, Anadolu Agency notes.
At least 2,546 people have been killed and more than 11,860 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year, according to Lebanese health officials cited by the agency.