Southern flank focus brings Italy, Türkiye closer ahead of Ankara NATO summit

Ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Italy and host country Türkiye are strengthening what analysts describe as a strategic axis linking Atlantic commitments with Mediterranean priorities. The focus includes cooperation on Libya and migration, alignment on major global crises, and expanding industrial ties aimed at reinforcing the role of NATO’s southern flank.

An analysis published by the Italian political magazine Formiche explores what Rome and Ankara can achieve together in a phase defined by two parallel pressures: the need to deepen Mediterranean partnerships—particularly with Africa and the Middle East—and to reassess the future direction of the Atlantic Alliance.

In the run-up to the summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening transatlantic relations and NATO collective defence, stressing the strategic importance of the alliance’s southern flank.

Beyond broader Atlantic cooperation, the discussion also addressed Libya, with a particular emphasis on bilateral efforts to combat irregular migration and human trafficking, alongside what was described as political pressure toward Libya’s institutional normalization. This issue has also been linked in recent months to efforts by Massad Boulos, the US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the region, who is also the father-in-law of one of Trump’s daughters.

Meloni and Erdoğan also reiterated their intention to deepen bilateral relations across multiple sectors and agreed to meet in Ankara next week during the NATO summit, which is expected to be shaped in part by the emerging Italian–Turkish coordination framework.

Recent developments underline the growing convergence between the two countries. Among them is the recent launch of the *Grande Istanbul*, described as the world’s largest ship. The Italian-built vessel was presented at a ceremony in Autoport, the automotive terminal within the Kocaeli port complex.

The event was attended by Italy’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Edoardo Rixi, alongside Kocaeli Deputy Governor Ertuğ Şevket Aksoy, Aras Serafettin, President of UND (International Association of Carriers), and other representatives from maritime institutions, port operators, and industry associations.

Named after Türkiye’s largest city and economic hub, the *Grande Istanbul* is one of 17 next-generation, ammonia-ready Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTCs) commissioned by the Italian Grimaldi Group, with a carrying capacity of up to 9,241 CEUs.

According to the analysis, cooperation between Italy and Türkiye extends beyond industry and defence to include shared approaches to managing crisis zones, particularly Libya and Iran, as well as Ukraine, which are seen as key areas of alignment for the emerging partnership.

On the sidelines of the NATO summit, an accompanying event titled “Allies in Ankara” is also scheduled, aimed at fostering discussion on the Alliance’s strategic challenges. The forum will bring together policymakers, experts, and opinion leaders from NATO member states and partner countries, with Italy expected to participate.

By Nazrin Sadigova