Meloni pushes Mediterranean agenda with visits to Tunisia and Türkiye

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni undertook an unannounced working visit to Tunis Thursday, followed by scheduled talks in Ankara, according to Italian media. The dual itinerary is part of Rome’s push to strengthen a Mediterranean axis critical to migration control, regional stability and energy cooperation.

In Tunisia, Meloni reaffirmed the Mattei Plan with Tunisian President Kais Saied, focusing on collaboration in energy—including the ELMED power interconnector—agricultural training under TANIT, and migration pathways under the Rome Process. Energy, agriculture, migration and infrastructure underpin this bilateral engagement.

Her meetings in Ankara are expected to broaden cooperation with Türkiye, which increasingly shapes Libya’s political and security terrain. Libya’s Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba is also anticipated to attend talks in Istanbul, underscoring Italy’s desire to coordinate with key Mediterranean actors amid shifting regional alignments.

Meloni’s strategic diplomacy aims to curtail Russian influence in North Africa, contain Libya’s instability and reinforce Italy’s leadership in shaping Mediterranean governance.