UAE and Italy sign 2 agreements on judicial cooperation

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Italy have signed two agreements for judicial and legal cooperation, including extradition rules and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between the two countries.

The agreements were signed by Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice for the UAE, and the Italian Minister of Justice, Andrea Orlando, in a ceremony yesterday in Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the Minister's current visit to the country.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and a number of leaders of the judiciary in both countries. Also present was Liborio Stellino, the Ambassador of Italy to the UAE.

Minister Al Badi praised the efforts of the Italian judicial authorities to support the bonds of cooperation and coordination in all fields, stressing the UAE's keen interest to benefit from experiments and projects applied in the two countries, which enhance the role and objectives of the ministry.

Al Badi said that the signing of two agreements aims to enhance the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of fighting crime, particularly organised crime and terrorist crimes, within the framework of the keenness of the Ministries of Justice in both countries to support cooperative relations and the implementation of joint agreements to serve the message of justice and its concept.

For his part, the Italian Minister extended his thanks for the hospitality and warm welcome accorded to him and his accompanying delegation in the UAE.

On behalf of the Republic of Italy's government and people, the Italian Minister extended condolences and sympathy to the Government and people of the UAE and the families of the martyrs who were part of the Saudi-led coalition forces in defence of the right and legitimacy in Yemen, in Operation Restoring Hope, stressing the full solidarity of the Republic of Italy with the UAE.

The Italian Minister expressed his gratitude for the signing of the new judicial cooperation agreements and the development of permanent relations between the Ministries of Justice of the two countries, as well as the interest of Italy to support and promote cooperation in several legal and judicial areas, including training and raising competencies.