Multilateral Conventions
Hague Convention on Civil Procedure (1954)
Signed in The Hague on March 1, 1954, and entry into force on April 12, 1957, this Convention facilitates international judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters. The treaty specifically governs the service of judicial documents and the taking of evidence abroad.
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=33
Ankara Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and Turkey (1963)
Signed in Ankara on September 12, 1963, and entry into force on December 1, 1964, the Ankara Agreement established an association between Turkey and the EEC (succeeded by the European Union), with the ultimate goal of promoting and strengthening mutual economic and trade relations, potentially paving the way for Turkey's future accession to the EU. The agreement established a three-stage process (preparatory, transitional, and final phases) for Turkey's gradual integration into the common market through the progressive establishment of a customs union.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:21964A1229(01
Additional Protocol to the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement (1970)
Signed in Brussels on November 23, 1970, and entry into force on January 1, 1973, the Additional Protocol is an extensive treaty to the Ankara Agreement, aiming to further extend the Association within the context of an enlarged Union. It strengthens customs cooperation, providing, among other things, for the mutual acceptance of certain movement certificates and information sheets. The Protocol is an integral part of the Ankara Agreement.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:22005A0930(01
United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958)
The New York Convention is the cornerstone treaty in international commercial arbitration. It establishes a regulatory framework allowing courts in adhering countries to recognize and enforce arbitral awards rendered in other signatory states. The objective is to promote arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, ensuring that awards have value and effect beyond national borders.
https://www.newyorkconvention.org/text
European Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (1961)
Signed in Geneva on April 21, 1961, this Convention, in parallel with the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, represents the main regional instrument on arbitration. The objective is to promote international arbitration as a valid dispute resolution mechanism in commercial matters between parties from different member states of the Council of Europe, harmonizing certain procedural aspects related to arbitration. Compared to the New York Convention, it regulates the procedural aspects of international arbitration in more detail, particularly concerning the initial phase of the procedure.
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXII-2&chapter=22&clang=_en
Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961)
This Convention, signed on October 5, 1961, and commonly known as the Apostille Convention, simplifies the authentication process for public documents issued by foreign authorities. The Convention abolishes the traditional requirement of diplomatic legalization of acts and documents, replacing it with a standardized "Apostille" certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin to certify its authenticity. Italy and Turkey are contracting parties, making the exchange of public documents between the two countries easier.
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=41
Washington Convention establishing the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (1965)
Signed on March 18, 1965, and commonly known as the ICSID Convention, the Washington Convention, promoted by the World Bank, established the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes between foreign investors and host states. ICSID is an autonomous and independent international body, headquartered in Washington D.C., whose arbitral awards are binding and must be recognized and enforced like a final judgment issued by a national court of a contracting state. The objective of the treaty is to ensure a secure and impartial legal framework for foreign investors.
https://icsid.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/ICSID%20Convention%20English.pdf
Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (1965)
This convention, signed on November 15, 1965, establishes a uniform procedure for the service abroad of judicial and extrajudicial acts and documents, simplifying bureaucratic procedures and reducing timeframes. The treaty requires states to designate a Central Authority competent to receive foreign service requests and to arrange for their transmission to the recipient according to domestic law. The Convention also prescribes alternative methods of service, subject to reservations made by each receiving State, such as postal channels or diplomatic or consular channels. Italy and Turkey are both contracting parties and both benefit from increased efficiency and certainty in their reciprocal notification procedures.
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=17
Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970)
The objective of this convention, signed on March 18, 1970, is to provide a uniform and effective legal framework for the collection of evidence abroad in civil and commercial proceedings between contracting states. Among the main mechanisms established are letters rogatory, which allow a foreign court to forward a formal request for the taking of evidence directly to the competent authority designated by another contracting state. In particular cases, the convention also governs the direct taking of evidence by diplomatic or consular authorities of a contracting state, with the consent of the host country. By ratifying this treaty, Turkey and Italy strengthen their judicial cooperation, promoting the protection of parties and their right to defense.
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=82
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (1970, amended 2001)
This treaty, administered by WIPO, simplifies the international patent filing process by allowing applicants for patent registration to access a centralized system that enables them to file a single international patent application instead of multiple national applications.
https://www.wipo.int/en/web/pct-system/texts/articles/atoc
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (amended 1979)
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works is the reference international treaty on copyright. It imposes a minimum uniform level of protection for creative works in all adhering states. Significant principles include the duration of protection—equivalent to the author's lifetime plus 50 years after their death (a duration many member states have extended)—and automatic protection, which ensures the protection of works without the need for formalities or registrations.
https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/textdetails/12214
Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (amended 1979)
Signed in Stockholm on July 14, 1967, and effective on April 26, 1970, the Convention established the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), tasked with promoting the protection of intellectual property worldwide. The Convention also confers on WIPO the role of administrator of international treaties on intellectual property, such as, among others, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.
https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text/283854
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (amended 1979)
The Convention represents the oldest cornerstone of the global industrial property protection system, promoting a uniform system of rights and protections. The treaty establishes a minimum system for harmonizing the regulations of adhering countries, imposing reciprocal protections, including respect for the principle of non-discrimination (i.e., national treatment). The Convention also governs the "right of priority," whereby an applicant who files an application in one member state has a period, which varies depending on whether it is a patent, trademark, or design, to extend protection to other countries while maintaining the priority of the first application.
https://www.wipo.int/edocs/pubdocs/it/wipo_pub_201.pdf
United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (1980)
Adopted in Vienna on April 11, 1980, and effective on January 1, 1988, CISG provides a uniform legal framework for the international sale of movable goods. Specifically, the Convention sets out specific rules regarding contract formation, the obligations of the buyer and seller, delivery, conformity of goods, and remedies for non-performance, thereby reducing uncertainties associated with cross-border trade and litigation risks. The principle of private autonomy of the contracting parties remains reserved, as they retain the right to totally or partially exclude the application of the Convention.
https://uncitral.un.org/sites/uncitral.un.org/files/media-documents/uncitral/en/19-09951_e_ebook.pdf
Madrid Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks (1989 and amended 2007)
The Madrid Protocol, together with the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, establishes the Madrid System for the international protection of marks. Unlike Italy, Turkey joined the system in 1999, signing and ratifying only the Madrid Protocol (and not the Agreement). The system provides for the possibility of filing a single international trademark application instead of multiple national applications, granting the registered international mark the same effects as a national mark.
https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text/283484
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (1994)
The 1994 Marrakesh Agreement is the international treaty that established the World Trade Organization (WTO), representing a historic turning point for the regulation of international trade. The agreement also includes a series of agreements—such as GATT 1994 for trade in goods, GATS for services, and TRIPS for intellectual property protection—binding on all WTO member states. The Marrakesh Agreement significantly extended the scope of international trade law, integrating strategic areas and at the same time strengthening the dispute resolution system, made more effective and binding than in the past. The agreement ensures greater transparency, predictability, and equal treatment among economic operators globally.
https://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/marag_e.htm
Decision No. 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council (1995)
The Customs Union Agreement, signed on December 22, 1995, and effective on January 1, 1996, implements the final phase of the Customs Union, as provided for by the 1963 Ankara Agreement and the 1970 Additional Protocol, adding a further step in Turkey's integration into the European economy. The agreement established a comprehensive legal framework for the free movement of industrial goods between Turkey and the EU—with the exception of basic agricultural products regulated by specific agreements—providing for the elimination of customs duties and quantitative restrictions. Among the commitments undertaken by Turkey are the application of the same common customs tariff in trade with third countries, as well as the adoption of European customs and commercial legislation.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/1995/1(5)/oj/eng
Convention on a Common Transit Procedure (1987)
This is an international agreement instrumental in harmonizing and simplifying customs procedures in the exchange of goods between the European Union, EFTA countries, and other countries such as Turkey. The Convention facilitates the movement of goods through a standardized customs transit procedure with a single transit declaration and a single customs guarantee.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A21987A0813%2801%29