Premier Giorgia Meloni spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the war in the Middle East on Friday and expressed solidarity with Ankara after NATO had to take out a missile in its airspace amid Iran’s retaliation to the attacks by the United States and Israel, her office said on Friday.

“As part of ongoing contacts with key partners on the crisis in the Middle East, Premier Giorgia Meloni had a telephone conversation today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” a statement said.

“President (of the Council of Ministers) Meloni first expressed her solidarity and closeness to Turkey, Italy’s strategic partner and NATO ally, in the face of the unjustifiable missile attack it was subjected to” It said the leaders “then discussed developments in the regional situation, based in part on President Meloni’s contacts with various Middle Eastern actors in recent days and the global impact of the crisis.

“The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact”.