ROME 

Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte held a joint press conference Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in which they expressed support for Turkey’s security concerns in Syria.

The two leaders met to discuss common issues between the two countries including migration, employment and the European Union.

During the conference, Conte emphasized NATO’s importance as a political partner.

“If my memory does not mislead me, we must effectively manage this longest-lived, most powerful military alliance in history. NATO should not lose its role as a political platform.

“As a NATO member and with its position in the Coalition Against Daesh,

Read more: Conte, Merkel discuss common issues