Yes, this situation is especially evident today.It is also a counterweight in the Mediterranean to France, Greece/Cyprus and Egypt. Neither Spain nor Italy want or tolerate France having or gaining too much power in the Mediterranean through its proxies such as Greece/Cyprus & Egypt. That is why they support Turkey pragmatically, e.g. through armaments cooperation or other Support Projects such as Navantia & Co and Leonardo with Italy in the near future.
Meanwhile, it is also stated that Erdoğan will go to Italy in 2 weeks.