Italy supports Turkey’s EU candidacy

Labor and Social Security Minister Murat Basesgioglu and Maroni exchanged views about improvement of relations between their ministries and later held a joint press conference.

Maroni said that the meeting was beneficial and they exchanged views about many issues concerning their ministries.

Stating that Turkey was an important country for Italy, Maroni noted that Italy supported Turkey’s EU candidacy.

Maroni said that Turkish officials were invited to all meetings of the EU during Italy’s term presidency and added that they would continue their sincere support to Turkey’s negotiations with the EU which were expected to start at the end of the following year.

Basesgioglu said that they reached an agreement in principle to exchange information and personnel about labor health and security between Turkish and Italian labor ministries.

They also decided to form joint working groups in areas concerning the two ministries, Basesgioglu pointed out.

Basesgioglu noted that Turkish and Italian bureaucrats would make their efforts more concrete in coming days.

Stating that human smuggling and illegal migration came onto agenda during the meeting of delegations, Basesgioglu said, "we saw that we share common views about prevention of human smuggling and illegal migration which are the biggest problems of the Mediterranean countries. The two countries will take joint action to prevent illegal migration."

Basesgioglu added that they would also visit Italy at the end of the month.