Operational proposals for the enhancement of cooperation between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye

OPERATIONAL PROPOSALS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF
COOPERATION BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE

In the framework of the consensus reached at the bilateral meetings between the Italian and Turkish delegations on 19 September 2023 in New York on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly, an interagency follow-up technical level meeting was held in Ankara on 18 October 2023.

At this meeting the two sides have expressed their willingness to increase cooperation and coordination on the following matters in order to further strengthen their bilateral relations, including in the field of irregular migration and security cooperation.

In this regard, both Sides:

1. Emphasize that security is indivisible and requires comprehensive cooperation and agree to enhance their coordination in the fight against all kinds of organized crime, including, inter alia, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and the laundering of assets obtained from these crimes.
2. Taking into account "Cooperation Agreement between Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Republic of Turkey the on Combating Serious Crime in Particular Terrorism and Organized Crime", signed on 8 May 2012 in Rome, agree to strengthen security cooperation against all forms of organized crime, migrant smuggling, human and drug trafficking, and all activities related to terrorism, including by expeditiously and thoroughly addressing the expulsion or extradition and freezing of assets requests, in accordance with applicable international treaties and fundamental principles of their domestic law, and interdicting any financing and recruitment activities of organizations as well as individuals involved in the above-mentioned criminal activities.
3. Agree to step up their cooperation with other willing parties in order to contribute to the fight against irregular migration together with other relevant international actors when necessary.
4. Consider working together and coordinating efforts in combatting human trafficking and managing migration according to international standards.
5. Jointly encourage the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to enhance their assistance provided to countries hosting refugees, with the aim of supporting voluntary returns, as well as improving the living conditions of refugees and migrants and supporting the reintegration of returnees in countries of origin through specific projects. Jointly encourage full and smooth cooperation with such Agencies.
6. Consider providing training to the law-enforcement agencies of requesting parties on organized crime related to migrant smuggling and human trafficking, handling of investigations related to these crimes, risk analysis and identification of migration routes.
7. With reference to the irregular migration routes at the Mediterranean Sea, consider increasing controls, including travel regimes, as appropriate, on risk categories.
8. Consider ways to enhance cooperation between law enforcement bodies, particularly to seek further collaboration on investigations on countering terrorism, organized crime, migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks, based on the existing bilateral frameworks in this field.
9. Consider ways for improving information exchange between the respective Coast Guards (including the Guardia di Finanza for Italy) to prevent and counter irregular departures.
10. Further exchange on developing a shared vision in NATO, particularly on the Alliance's responsibility towards its Southern flank, including addressing the threats, risks and opportunities therein, by arranging in the near future bilateral consultations on NATO and security issues to coordinate policies.
11. In the spirit of the International Conference on Migration and Development held in Rome on July 23rd 2023, hold regular consultations with particular reference to security issues, good practices in managing migratory flows and other common challenges.
12. Continue the existing cooperation on cross Mediterranean irregular migration flows in line with the Turkish and Italian sides.
13. Continue their fruitful cooperation in the framework of the Almaty Process for Central Asia.
14. Maintain a constant dialogue in the context of EU-Türkiye cooperation, and consider ways to further the updating of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union and the Visa Liberalisation Process, while taking concrete measures to facilitate visa processes for Turkish citizens, particularly for those in specific categories (businesspersons, students, academics, professional transporters and artists) and ensure an efficient implementation of the procedures.
15. Agree that the scope, target, rules of engagement, duration and execution area of the activities within the framework of this paper to be carried out will be determined by both sides.

16. These Operational Proposals will come into operation 15 days after the signature.

Rome, 11 September 2025

Antonio TAJANI
Vice President of the Council
of Ministers and Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation

Hakan FİDAN
Minister of Foreign Affairs