In a notable diplomatic gesture, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended his congratulations to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, acknowledging her administration for becoming the longest-serving in the Italian Republic’s history. Meloni’s government achieved this milestone by completing 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing the previous record held by Silvio Berlusconi’s second government, which lasted 1,412 days from 2001 to 2005. Erdoğan’s commendation underscores the strengthening ties between Türkiye and Italy, with both leaders expressing a commitment to enhancing cooperation and solidarity.
Meloni, who made history as Italy’s first female prime minister when she assumed office in October 2022, has fostered a close working relationship with Erdoğan. Their ongoing dialogue covers a range of bilateral and regional issues, illustrating the strategic importance both nations place on their partnership. Under their leadership, Türkiye and Italy have pursued expanded collaboration in several key areas, including trade, investment, defense, energy, and migration. Additionally, the two countries have coordinated efforts on pressing regional matters such as the situations in Libya and Ukraine.
Highlighting the depth of their cooperation, Meloni and Erdoğan co-chaired the fourth Türkiye-Italy Intergovernmental Summit held in Rome in April 2025. This summit was a pivotal event, as it resulted in multiple agreements aimed at bolstering their strategic and economic partnership. The agreements signed at the summit reflect a mutual interest in fortifying ties across various sectors, underscoring the leaders’ shared vision for their nations’ futures.
The most recent meeting between Meloni and Erdoğan took place during the NATO summit in Ankara in July, where they reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing trade, mutual investment, and defense collaborations. Their discussions at the summit emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in their bilateral relations, particularly in strategic sectors that promise mutual benefits. As they look to the future, both leaders appear eager to continue building on the robust foundation of cooperation that has characterized their tenure.