The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, told his Turkish colleague Mevlut Cavusoglu, in a meeting on the fringes of the UN General Assembly: “Our economic relations are excellent: Italy is Turkey’s third largest trade partner and Turkish investments in Italy have considerably grown in the last few years. Energy constitutes one of the main points in our strategic talks, also in consideration of the potential that the eastern Mediterranean has in becoming the energy hub for the supply of gas to Europe. Our primary interest consists in promoting the diversification of energy sources in Italy and Europe, and we look at Turkey as a natural partner in achieving this goal.”
“Ankara represents a partner of fundamental importance and a strategic ally for all EU Member States. As to the recent tensions with some of the Member States, we call for respect for human rights and fundamental liberties. At the same time, we recall the soundness and the importance of the ties that bind us to Ankara. Our cooperation continues to be satisfactory on key points such as managing migration flows. It is equally essential to continue working to combat terrorism, stabilise the Middle Eastern region, promote trade and cooperate in the energy sector.”
