Rome: Algeria and Italy agreed on Monday to deepen cooperation against irregular migration and cross-border crime during talks between their interior ministers in Rome.

According to Anadolu Agency, a statement from Algeria's Interior Ministry revealed that Said Sayoud and his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi discussed ways to strengthen bilateral coordination aimed at curbing irregular migration and dismantling networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The Italian side praised Algeria's efforts in combating irregular migration, highlighting its 'comprehensive and balanced approach' that integrates humanitarian, security, and development measures to tackle migration challenges within Africa.

Italy also commended Algeria's efforts against migrant smuggling and human trafficking, expressing satisfaction with the current level of bilateral cooperation in these areas. The statement further noted that the two ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in policing, training, expertise-sharing, and joint operational mechanisms to bolster the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Algeria and Italy have a longstanding history of cooperation on security issues, formalized under a bilateral agreement signed in 1999 that addresses irregular migration and the repatriation of undocumented migrants. This agreement was expanded in February 2024 to include collaboration against drug trafficking, cybercrime, economic crimes, human trafficking, and broader operational coordination between the security services of both countries.

Despite these efforts, a limited number of irregular Algerian migrants continue to reach the Italian island of Sardinia from Algeria's eastern coast.