Tajani meets with Turkish Trade Minister Bolat: Italia is the second-largest European partner, behind Germany
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers met with a selection of Italian companies with significant interests in the Turkish market, operating in the sectors of infrastructure and transport, defence and aerospace, energy, telecommunications and the steel industry
Key points
Italy is increasingly looking to Turkey for the opportunities that market offers in terms of international trade. At a time when, between wars and tariffs, there is no shortage of uncertainties in this area, the aim is to diversify, and the Turkish market is at the forefront. On Friday 18 September, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat at the Farnesina. A statement clarifies that the meeting served to strengthen dialogue on bilateral economic and trade relations and to address the consequences of the crisis in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz on international trade.
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers met with a selection of Italian companies with significant interests in the Turkish market, operating in the sectors of infrastructure and transport, defence and aerospace, energy, telecommunications and steel.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with particular emphasis on infrastructure development and transport links, opportunities for businesses, and collaboration in strategic sectors. The two Ministers also discussed market access and economic relations between Turkey and the European Union, not least in the run-up to the forthcoming Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Affairs, to be held in Turkey.
Turkey is one of the priority countries under the Export Action Plan. In 2025, trade between Italia and Turkey totalled 26.1 billion euros, with Italian exports amounting to 13.7 billion and imports reaching 12.4 billion. Italian exports have recorded strong growth in recent months (+11.3 per cent in June and +6.6 per cent in July).
Italia is Turkey’s second-largest European partner
Italia is Turkey’s seventh-largest supplier and fourth-largest customer. With an export share of 3.8 per cent, Italia is Turkey’s second-largest European trading partner, behind Germany (7.2 per cent) but ahead of France (3.1 per cent) and Spain (2.6 per cent), and the largest in the Mediterranean.
