Both meetings helped strengthen interparliamentary relations, building on the excellent bilateral ties between Switzerland and Italy, characterised by regular policy dialogue and solid economic, cross-border and cultural cooperation. In recent years, dialogue between the two countries has been further enhanced by numerous agreements and official visits. Mr Caroni highlighted the ten bilateral agreements signed in various areas over the last four years. In this regard, the president of the Council of States took an interest in the progress being made by Italy in ratifying several other bilateral agreements recently concluded between Switzerland and Italy. These include a solidarity agreement on natural gas between Switzerland, Italy and Germany, an agreement on regular cross-border bus services and a new protocol on teleworking for cross-border workers.
On the sidelines of official meetings, Mr Caroni, who was recently appointed professor of public law at the University of St. Gallen, took part in a discussion with constitutional law experts, including two professors from Roma Tre University and La Sapienza University, respectively. Among other things, they discussed the differences and similarities between the Italian and Swiss constitutional systems, which are among the few in Europe to be based on a perfect bicameral model. Mr Caroni also showed interest in the instruments of direct democracy provided for in the Italian system, focussing in particular on the reasons for their limited use.
On Wednesday, 7 May, Mr Caroni travelled to the island of Lampedusa for a visit devoted to migration policy, a key issue in bilateral relations between Italy and Switzerland. The two countries work closely together on migration issues, with Switzerland considering Italy a crucial partner for the functioning of the Dublin system. Italy's suspension of Dublin transfers in 2022 has created an unsatisfactory situation for Switzerland, a point that Mr Caroni made at official meetings in Rome where recent developments relating to the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum were discussed. This pact includes analysis of innovative solutions for both asylum and return to third countries. The Federal Council's dispatch on Swiss implementation of certain aspects of the EU Pact on Migration is currently being debated in Parliament.
The continuous discussions between the two countries on migration issues paved the way for signature of an agreement in Rome on 17 May 2024, whereby Switzerland will contribute CHF 20 million in funding to provide accommodation and care to unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. This funding is part of Switzerland's second contribution.
On the island of Lampedusa, Mr Caroni was welcomed by the prefect of Agrigento, Salvatore Caccamo. The visit to this island off the Sicilian coast enabled closer observation and a deeper understanding of how migration flows along the Mediterranean route are managed and what steps have been taken to protect the maritime borders of the Schengen Area, which includes Switzerland. Mr Caroni also visited Contrada Imbriacola, a current hotspot, and met with local officials from the main authorities and agencies operating there. Opened in 2015, this centre is managed by the Italian Red Cross. It is one of the main places in Italy where procedures for initial reception, preliminary identification and determination of the legal status of migrants are carried out immediately upon their arrival. The visit also included a meeting with the Commander of the Lampedusa Coast Guard, who explained the complex operational procedures in place to handle the arrival of foreign nationals by sea.
Mr Caroni had initially planned to travel to Rome for the swearing-in ceremony of new recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard. This ceremony, however, has been postponed until autumn 2025.
Meeting in Rome between Andrea Caroni and the vice-president of the Senate, Gian Marco Centinaio
Andrea Caroni visits the Italian Senate at Palazzo Madama
Meeting in Rome between Andrea Caroni and the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana
Andrea Caroni visits the Contrada Imbriacola hotspot in Lampedusa
Meeting in Lampedusa between Andrea Caroni and the Commander of the Coast Guard