REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Minister of Justice Mr. Yılmaz Tunç met with the Minister of Justice of Italy Mr. Carlo Nordio.

The meeting at the Ministry of Justice was attended by the Ministers as well as the delegations of both countries.

Minister Tunç said that he was pleased with Minister Nordio's visit to Istanbul and Ankara.

Emphasizing that the relations between the two countries are rooted in the past, Mr. Tunç expressed his hope that the relations between Türkiye and Italy will continue to increase in the coming period.

OUR COUNTRY HAS REALIZED MANY REFORMS IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Reminding that Türkiye is a party to all international conventions, Minister Tunç explained as follows: “Adherence to these conventions is a requirement of Türkiye's commitment to international human rights. Our country has realized many reforms within the framework of its sensitivity to human rights.”

Stating that they are deeply saddened by the loss of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, a 14-year-old Italian boy who was murdered in Türkiye, Minister Tunç also stated as follows: "Within the scope of the investigation initiated about the incident, the suspects were immediately identified and their statements were taken by the public prosecutor's office and they were arrested on the charge of attempt to intentional killing. The investigation is continued. After the Forensic Medicine Report is received, a public case will be opened against them quickly. This tragic incident deeply saddened all of us, our nation. I also had a phone call with his father and expressed my condolences. Of course, their pain is extremely deep. We will continue the necessary investigation against those, who committed the offence, until the end."

JOINT DECLARATION WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE OF THE TWO COUNTRIES

Following the speeches, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Yılmaz Tunç, and the Minister of Justice of Italy, Mr. Carlo Nordio, signed a joint declaration on the development of judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the two countries.

Accordingly, within the framework of the Council of Europe Conventions to which the two states are parties, the judicial cooperation on extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of sentenced persons and the protection of children will be strengthened, accelerated and facilitated.

The two states will prioritize mutual legal assistance in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, particularly terrorist crimes, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and money laundering.