Türkiye, Italy, Libya map joint strategy on gas, migration, peace PHOTO

In a trilateral gathering, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah in Istanbul for high-level talks addressing Libya’s political future, irregular migration, and Mediterranean energy exploration.

The closed-door summit, held at the historic Dolmabahçe Palace along the Bosphorus, marked a strategic alignment among Türkiye, Italy, and Libya on pressing regional challenges, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

According to media reports, the meeting focused on boosting trilateral cooperation on hydrocarbons, border security, and the stalled Libyan peace process.

A statement released by Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) described the summit as “part of the ongoing coordination between Libya, Türkiye and Italy, aimed at promoting common approaches that serve the interests of the region’s peoples and contribute to supporting stability and international cooperation.”

Energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean featured prominently in the discussions. In June 2025, Türkiye and Libya signed a landmark agreement to jointly conduct geological and geophysical surveys across four offshore zones. The pact includes a 10,000-kilometre seismic mapping campaign and nine-month data analysis, positioning Türkiye’s advanced capabilities at the heart of efforts to unlock Libya’s vast untapped hydrocarbon reserves — among the largest in Africa.

Italy, meanwhile, continues to play a critical role as a downstream energy partner. Infrastructure such as the Greenstream pipeline, which transports Libyan gas directly to Sicily, underscores Rome’s economic and strategic stakes in Libyan energy security.

Migration was another central issue, with Libya serving as the principal launch point for migrants seeking to reach Europe. According to Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, approximately 21,000 migrants have arrived in Italy from Libya so far this year — an 80% surge over 2024 figures. The leaders discussed joint initiatives to manage migratory flows and combat human trafficking networks.

The summit comes amid growing defence and diplomatic coordination between Türkiye and Italy — both NATO members. Recent years have seen a deepening of bilateral ties across defence, trade, and regional mediation. Earlier this year, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Italian defence firm Leonardo signed a landmark agreement to enhance joint production and technological cooperation.

President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Meloni have held several direct consultations in recent months, reinforcing shared priorities in regional hotspots such as the Black Sea, Middle East, and North Africa. Erdoğan’s visit to Rome in April for the fourth intergovernmental summit further solidified these bonds.

In a joint declaration following that summit, Ankara and Rome reaffirmed their support for “a UN-facilitated, Libyan-owned political process aimed at preserving Libya’s unity, security and sovereignty.”

The trilateral meeting signals renewed commitment from all three nations to reshape the regional security and energy architecture through cooperative diplomacy, economic engagement, and conflict resolution.

By Vafa Guliyeva