Turkey, Italy, Libya Leaders Discuss Joint Mediterranean Migration Strategy in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted a trilateral summit in Istanbul with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah to address migration, regional stability, and economic cooperation in the Mediterranean. The leaders focused on stemming irregular migration flows from Libya, a major transit hub for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with Italy experiencing an 80% rise in arrivals this year. They emphasized the need for long-term, sustainable solutions targeting the root causes of migration through broad international coordination. The summit also highlighted joint energy exploration projects in the Mediterranean, including a recent Türkiye-Libya seismic survey deal, with Italy as a key downstream partner. Additionally, Erdogan condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for a cease-fire and support for a sovereign Palestinian state. The summit concluded with plans to convene cooperation committees and reconvene after reviewing their progress to strengthen trilateral ties and regional cooperation.