Turkish-Italian government summit to take place in Nov

In an exclusive interview with the Anatolian Agency, Marsili said bilateral relations between Turkey and Italy continued to progress within the scope of a road map.

Marsili said the summit would be chaired by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

He also said some ministers of the two parties would also attend the summit.

The summit takes place alternatively once in a year in the framework of the Strategic Document signed by Italy and Turkey in January 2007.

"I wish to underline that this is a government summit, a kind of meeting that Italy regularly holds with its main European partners, such as Germany, France, Britain, and Spain," Marsili said.

President of the Italian Parliament and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini will pay a visit to Ankara on Oct. 31 upon an invitation from Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan.

Members of the parliaments of the two countries will organize Twinning Project financed by the European Commission.

The 5th Annual Turkish-Italian Dialogue Forum, organized in Rome in November and chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, will also assume a role in the improvement of relations.

The two prime ministers are also expected to sign a protocol regarding the establishment of a Turkish-Italian University in Istanbul.

Separately, the second Italian-Turkish Media Forum will take place in Istanbul on Dec 12-13, and on Oct. 12, a cooperation seminar will be organized in Istanbul.

"As you know, Italy has welcomed a very well-known Turkish movie director, namely Ferzan Ozpetek. His last masterpiece 'A Perfect Day' has been presented to the International Film Festival in Venice. For many years Mr. Ozpetek has been playing a key role for the enhancement of the Turkish-Italian cultural relations. I will be glad to confer upon Mr. Ozpetek a very high decoration on behalf of the Italian President of the Republic," Marsili added.