08.07.2026 19:40
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated in a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the NATO Leaders Summit that Turkey wants to discuss not the obstacles, but the removal of the final hurdles to Turkey's membership in the European Union.
The Presidential Communications Directorate issued a statement regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was in Ankara for the 36th NATO Summit.
AGENDA: DEFENSE INDUSTRY, INVESTMENT, ENERGY, AND TRADE COOPERATION
The statement shared on the Directorate's X account noted: "Our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was in Ankara for the NATO Leaders Summit, at NATO Headquarters. During the reception, Turkey-Italy bilateral relations and regional and global developments were discussed."
President Erdoğan stated in the meeting that it is important to work on developing cooperation between Turkey and Italy in many areas, particularly defense industry, investment, energy, and trade.
“I WANT TO TALK ABOUT REMOVING THE LAST OBSTACLES, NOT BARRIERS, WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION”
Our President stated that Turkey wants to discuss removing the final hurdles before its membership, rather than barriers, with the European Union. President Erdoğan expressed that NATO's European pillar needs to be strengthened and that Turkey, as a country, would support the European Union's efforts in this regard, provided they are based on NATO ground.
“LIBYA” ALSO CAME TO THE TABLE
Our President stated that the Quadruple Cooperation Process, launched together by Turkey, Italy, Qatar, and Libya regarding Libya, is important and that efforts will continue. President Erdoğan invited Italian Prime Minister Meloni to the COP31 Leaders Summit to be held in Antalya in November."