Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Claudio Descalzi, the Chief Executive Officer of Italian energy giant Eni S.p.A., on Monday in a meeting signaling a significant push to deepen strategic energy cooperation between the two nations.

The high-level discussions, held at the Presidential Complex and attended by Türkiye’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, centered on expanding Eni’s investments in Türkiye and solidifying Ankara's role as a pivotal energy hub for Europe.

According to officials, the talks covered a broad agenda, including potential collaborations in natural gas exploration, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and ventures into renewable energy and green hydrogen. This aligns with Türkiye's strategic goal of bridging European energy markets with resources from the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

"Both sides underscored the shared commitment to advancing energy security, investment, and industrial cooperation," Türkiye's Energy Ministry stated in a briefing following the meeting.

While no immediate agreements were signed, the meeting established a framework for future action. The parties agreed to form a joint working group comprising Turkish and Italian officials and Eni representatives. This group will be tasked with mapping out specific co-investment opportunities, with detailed memorandums of understanding expected in the coming months.

A senior Italian industry source described the high-level engagement as "a clear signal of Italy’s long-term interest in Türkiye as a conduit for energy flows into Europe."

The meeting occurs against a backdrop of Europe's continued search for diversified energy suppliers, enhancing the strategic value of Türkiye's geographic position. Observers noted that the involvement of top leadership reflects Türkiye's evolving role from a energy consumer to an emerging producer and transit corridor.

The next steps will involve convening a joint investment committee and launching feasibility studies on specific projects within six months. Future investment decisions are expected to be guided by market conditions, regulatory clarity in Türkiye, and alignment with EU decarbonization goals.

This visit marks a potential milestone, signaling a shift from transactional energy deals towards a long-term, strategic partnership between Türkiye and Italy. (ILKHA)