Cyprus, Greece, Turkey’s defense cooperation with Italy, and a possible meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump were mentioned by the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in remarks to reporters during his flight back from Rome.

Concluding his participation in the 4th Turkey-Italy Intergovernmental Summit, Erdogan particularly stressed the strategic importance of cooperation between the two countries in areas such as defense, energy, and technology. He said that in his meeting with Georgia Meloni, it was agreed to strengthen bilateral trade relations with a target of $40 billion, and 11 new bilateral protocols were signed.

“Our defense cooperation is moving forward with new joint initiatives. Italy is an experienced player, and we aim to build indigenous and independent capabilities. Cooperation will be beneficial for both sides,” he noted.

Responding to a question about possible Turkish-Italian cooperation in Africa, Erdogan confirmed that there is Italian interest in joint steps on the continent.

“We want good neighbourly relations with Greece.”

“Mutual technology transfer will strengthen Turkey’s domestic defense industry and provide new perspectives and energy to Italy. Our cooperation with an important country like Italy in this field will increase the progress of our countries. Our view in this regard is to achieve our goal of 100% domestic and national defense industry,” Erdogan said, adding that “We also seek to develop our relations with Greece based on good neighborliness, friendship and alliance.”

“Two-state solution in Cyprus”

“We believe that with a two-state solution on the island of Cyprus, we can put the historical problems behind us, and we are advancing our efforts in this direction. We will continue to intensify our efforts for the recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. As Turkey, we will never leave it alone and helpless,” Erdogan also underlined.

“We will meet with Trump at the first opportunity.”

Erdogan also referred to a possible face-to-face meeting with the US president.

“We will have our first meeting with President Trump at the first opportunity. Our telephone conversation was very frank, productive, and friendly. The relations between the two countries are deep and long-standing. We have many issues to discuss and many steps to take. For this reason, our ministries are continuing their work on our meeting, which will determine the course of relations between Turkey and the US,” he said.

He added: “The timing of the meeting will be determined in the context of these works. We occasionally have telephone diplomacy with Mr. Trump. I believe that with my friend Trump, we will give a very different dynamic to our bilateral relations in the new period. We also support his vision for peace, particularly regarding Russia and Ukraine. We welcome with satisfaction Turkey’s attitude that takes into account our sensitivities.”