Turkey, Italy and Libya seek migration solutions in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah at a trilateral summit in Istanbul on Friday, AFP reported. The talks focused on migration across the Mediterranean and regional cooperation.

Erdogan called for sustainable solutions to the root causes of irregular migration and emphasized joint responsibility in addressing instability across the region. Italy, the main destination for migrant boats from Libya, proposed closer coordination to disrupt trafficking networks and manage migratory pressure on Tripoli.

Turkey and Italy both maintain strong ties with Libya’s UN-backed government, particularly in defence and energy. Libya remains a major hub for migrants trying to reach Europe, amid ongoing civil conflict and institutional division between rival governments in the country’s east and west.

Erdogan also raised the war in Gaza, urging the international community to press for a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. The summit underscored Ankara’s effort to position itself as a diplomatic broker in the wider Mediterranean.