The migration route from Libya across the Mediterranean was a key focus during Friday’s summit in Istanbul. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah.
The leaders discussed migration challenges and explored broader cooperation opportunities, Turkey’s presidency said in a statement. Erdogan stressed the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions to stem irregular migration flows across the Mediterranean. He called for multilateral coordination among the three nations to effectively tackle the ongoing migration crisis.
Libya, a major energy exporter fractured by rival eastern and western factions, remains a critical launch point for migrants. The country’s political divisions have attracted regional powers like Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.
Turkey, a NATO member, supports Libya’s Tripoli-based internationally recognized government both militarily and politically. In 2020, Ankara deployed military personnel to train Libya’s forces and signed a contested maritime boundary deal.
Turkey and Libya also inked a preliminary energy exploration accord in 2022, which Egypt and Greece oppose. Meanwhile, Turkey and Italy maintain strong NATO ties and pledged to deepen defense and trade cooperation.
In March, Italy’s Leonardo and Turkey’s Baykar launched a joint venture to build unmanned aerial vehicles. Turkey is also close to procuring 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from an Italian-led consortium.
The three leaders agreed to reconvene soon to assess outcomes from their cooperation committees. This summit signals renewed efforts to address migration and expand strategic collaboration amid regional tensions.
