In a message to Maria Falcone for the workshop “The Palermo Convention and the fight against organised crime on the current international scenario. Italy’s role: reflections and expectations, Minister for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini expressed the hope that collaboration among countries fighting transnational organised crime would to also impact on migration flows. The workshop was organised by the Giovanni e Francesca Falcone Foundation, of which Professor Maria Falcone is president.
“Transnational organised crime is an increasingly transversal and widespread threat, interconnected with other phenomena such as international terrorism, illegal trafficking of all kinds, and with the strong presence of criminal organisations exploiting the desperation and poverty that contribute to feeding the flow of migrants between the two shores of the Mediterranean”, the minister underscored.
“A global threat of such dimensions calls for an effective multilateral response founded on concrete and detailed action by the States and international organisations committed to supporting democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights. To confront a phenomenon of such proportions and in continuous evolution, effective international cooperation is therefore more necessary than ever”, she pointed out.
“That is why the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), which makes out country the centre and symbol of the struggle against organised crime, is such an indispensable instrument. It is, however, necessary that the Convention and its Protocols be implemented within the national laws of the 179 countries that have thus far ratified them, not least by means of a Convention review mechanism that has yet to be outlined”, said Mogherini.
“In further confirmation of the role played by our country, deserving of recognition is the resolution (“Strengthening international cooperation in addressing the smuggling of migrants”) approved on Italy’s initiative during the 23rd session of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Commission held in Vienna in May, proposed along with Mexico and Australia, and which should be formally adopted by ECOSOC in July of this year”, she recalled. “And Italy is in agreement with the European Commission on another Italian initiative for the creation of a dialogue forum on migration between the EU and the countries of the Horn of Africa, which is in the drafting stage and will focus on the fight against human trafficking”.
Therefore, she concluded, “Professor Falcone’s move to organise an event in Rome ahead of the 7th conference of the parties to the Palermo Convention planned for October in Vienna, offers an extraordinary opportunity for institutions and the civil society to analyse and reflect, not least with a view to boosting Italy’s forefront role in the fight against transnational organised crime”.
