Corriere della Sera
Franco Frattini and Ahmet Dovutoglu
Dear Editor:

We open the exhibition dedicated to Venice and Istanbul today on the banks of the Bosphorus, along with the sessions of the 6th Italo-Turkish Dialogue Forum—two important initiatives that are emblematic of Italy and Turkey’s strategic partnership, whose roots go deep in our common Mediterranean history and whose potential points to a future to build together.

The paintings on exhibit at the Sabanci Museum give a glimpse of the tightly woven trade network that animated the dialogue and continuous reciprocal enrichment of Venice and the Ottoman Empire from the 16th to the 20th century. The complete convergence of Italy’s and Turkey’s positions in the current regional and international context is the present-day reflection of this shared history. Our common geographical location feeds the objective of stabilising the Mediterranean, the Balkans and the Caucasus region to which both our countries contribute through bilateral political and diplomatic initiatives as well as our participation in all the principle peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the UN, NATO and the EU in theatres such as Bosnia and Lebanon.

Our strategic partnership is strengthened as a result of a shared vision within the context of international bodies, for whose renewal we are actively working. The main example of this is our common participation in the Uniting for Consensus Group for a UN Security Council reform based on the principles of democracy and inclusion and that reflects an international order founded on equitable and effective multilateralism. This is an important commitment that Turkey, with its current seat on the Security Council, and Italy, a candidate for 2017-2018, intend to pursue with determination.

A firm opposition to all forms of terrorism is the backbone of our shared commitment to foster the progress of democracy and human rights around the world. For this reason Italy and Turkey are on the front lines in the process of stabilisation and democratisation in Afghanistan, where a convinced contribution to the ISAF mission goes hand in hand with cooperation on the full application of the rule of law and the strengthening of civil institutions. Likewise our two countries share the goals of maintaining territorial integrity and national reconciliation in Iraq.

Rome and Ankara join in President Obama’s appeal for the future denuclearisation of military apparatuses, which could open up a new chapter in international relations. Hence our support for the US vision of a denuclearised world. Italy’s support for Turkey’s European prospects falls within this framework of convergence. In recent years Turkey has enacted major reforms, known as the “silent revolution”, making praiseworthy progress in the areas of democracy and managing to transparently discuss themes that were once considered taboo. This progress has been acknowledged by the EU, which, having reached the opinion that Turkey had fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria, began accession negotiations on 3 October 2005. Unfortunately, some Member States have slowed those negotiations for political reasons not strictly pertinent to the process itself. In brief, the EU is a collection of legal systems and should, first and foremost, keep its promises. Italy therefore remains unwavering on the principle that once Turkey has fulfilled the established accession criteria, Member States will have to maintain their commitment to welcome her as a full-fledged member of the European Union.

Turkey’s entrance will contribute to strengthening the EU’s strategic importance, boosting its profile as a global player and promoter of security and stability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and as a protagonist in the increasingly important sector of energy security. We are proud of the level of absolute excellence reached in bilateral relations, which extend from political and economic planes to the defence industry and all the way to cultural spheres and the rediscovery of dialogue between civil societies. This is a crucial sector that launches the strategic Italo-Turkish partnership toward the future to build for the younger generations. The 6th Italo-Turkish Dialogue Forum aims to bring representatives from the political, institutional and cultural worlds of both countries together to lay the foundations for a third Millennium Europe enriched by the encounter of traditions belonging to civilisations united by a platform of shared values.

In order to strengthen this dialogue and promote the further development of mutual understanding, the Italian government will announce today, on the occasion of the State visit to Turkey by President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, the “Italy in Turkey 2010” initiative, a busy programme of cultural and economic events aimed at showcasing the excellence of System Italy in various locations around Turkey and that, regarding Istanbul, intends to tap into the initiatives planned in the context of “Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010”; another series of cultural and economic events is being planned for 2012 entitled “Turkey in Italy”. This will be a series hinging on the great spirit of friendship between our peoples and nations, the sign of an entirely special reciprocal attention. It is also born of an awareness that, as excellent as bilateral relations may be, there is always room for improvement. On these solid grounds the second Intergovernmental Summit, to be chaired in Rome on 16 December by Prime Minister Berlusconi and Prime Minister Erdogan, will offer a perfect opportunity to further deepen our strategic partnership.