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8 May 2012

Italy Confirms Its Support to Turkey's EU Bid

A joint declaration issued at the end of the Italy-Turkey Intergovernmental Summit confirmed Italy's support to Turkey's EU bid.

The first intergovernmental summit was held in western province of Izmir on November 12, 2008 and the second one took place in Italian capital of Rome on Tuesday.

A statement by Turkish Prime Ministry said that during the meeting between Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italy's support to Turkey's EU accession process has been confirmed in a determined way.

The declaration said that Turkish party expressed pleasure over easiness provided to Turkish businessmen by Italian diplomatic missions in Turkey.

It said Italy would launch works in the EU on adoption of a joint visa policy on a visa liberalization for Turkish citizens.

Turkish and Italian parties expressed their concern over crackdown in Syria, it said, adding that Turkey and Italy fully supported efforts by joint UN and Arab League special envoy on Syria Kofi Annan.

The declaration said that the two parties underlined the importance of a comprehensive political transformation process complying with fair demands of Syrian people in Syria.

In regard to the Cyprus issue, the declaration said that a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution should be found to the Cyprus issue within the scope of good offices mission of the UN as soon as possible.

It also said that efforts should be strengthened in fighting terrorism.

Turkey and Italy signed several agreements including a cooperation agreement in combating terrorism and organized crimes, social security agreement as well as an agreement on establishment of Economic and Trade Partnership Committee between Turkey and Italy.