Italy is not only an important member of the European Union, but also Switzerland's third largest trading partner. Bilateral relations between the two countries are close, diverse and marked by a long tradition of friendship.
On Tuesday, 6 May, Mr Caroni will be received in Rome by Lorenzo Fontana, president of the Chamber of Deputies. A meeting with Gian Marco Centinaio, vice president of the Senate is also planned. Both discussions will focus on bilateral relations between Switzerland and Italy, current international developments and relations with the European Union.
On Wednesday, 7 May, Mr Caroni will travel to the island of Lampedusa for a visit focused on migration policy, a key issue in relations between Italy and Switzerland. The visit takes place at a time when the adoption of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is being debated in the Swiss parliament; it also follows the entry into force, in July 2024, of the Italian-Swiss agreement supporting migration projects under Switzerland's second contribution. Switzerland has earmarked CHF 20 million for migration management structures in Italy, with a specific focus on accommodation and care of unaccompanied minors. While on Lampedusa Mr Caroni will visit the coast guard command and a reception centre.
A visit to the Vatican, originally planned for the same period, had to be postponed due to the death of Pope Francis. The swearing-in ceremony for the new recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which traditionally takes place on 6 May, has been postponed until the autumn (when a new Pope will have been named).