Memorandum of Understanding Between Italy and Libyan NTC

The MOU between Italy and the Libyan National Transitional Council signed last Friday, 17 June, is a short 1 ½ page memorandum that makes reference to four previous agreements signed by the Libyan and Italian governments.

Thank you to ASGI – Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione for bringing this document to my attention.  See ASGI’s press release where it sets forth its doubt about the legality of this new agreement with the NTC.

Excerpts from the MOU (using Google translate):

“[***]

[The Italian Government and the NTC] [c]onfirm their commitment to a shared management of migration, primarily through the application of the Italian-Libyan cooperation in combating terrorism, organized crime, trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and illegal immigration , signed in Rome 13 December 2000 and subsequent Protocols of cooperation on migration of December 29, 2007, with its Additional Act of February 4, 2009, – and 7 December 2010.

In this context, the Parties will exchange information on the flows of illegal immigrants on criminal organizations that promote them, on modus operandi and the routes taken and the organizations specialized in forging documents and passports, as well as mutual assistance and cooperation in the fight against illegal migration, including repatriation of illegal immigrants.

To this end, agree to perform, as soon as there are conditions, regular consultations between the respective competent bodies, according to art. 5 of the said Agreement.”

“[***]

Confermano l’impegno ad una gestione condivisa del fenomeno migratorio, in primo luogo attraverso l’applicazione dell’Accordo italo-libico per la collaborazione nella lotta al terrorismo, alla criminalità organizzata, al traffico di stupefacenti e di sostanze psicotrope ed all’immigrazione clandestina, firmato a Roma il 13 dicembre 2000 e dei successivi Protocolli di collaborazione in materia migratoria del 29 dicembre 2007, con relativo Atto aggiuntivo del 04 febbraio 2009,- e del 7 dicembre 2010.

In tale ambito, le Parti procederanno allo scambio di informazioni sui flussi di immigrazione illegale, sulle organizzazioni criminali che li favoriscono, sui modus operandi e sugli itinerari seguiti e sulle organizzazioni specializzate nella falsificazione di documenti e di passaporti, nonché alla reciproca assistenza e cooperazione nella lotta all’immigrazione illegale, incluso il rimpatrio di immigrati in posizione irregolare.

A tal fine convengono di effettuare, non appena ve ne saranno le condizioni, regolari consultazioni tra i competenti rispettivi organismi, come previsto dall’art. 5 del suddetto Accordo.”

Click here for MOU. (IT)

Click here for ASGI Press Release. (IT)