Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili and director of EUROPOL Rob Wainwright have signed agreement between Georgia and EUROPOL on operative and strategic cooperation.
Based on the agreement, Georgia will have an opportunity to have exchange crime-related information and personal data with the assistance of EUROPOL and law enforcement agencies of EU member states through safe communication channel. Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs will send a liaison officer at the headquarters of EUROPOL and will participate in the activities of the joint investigative group of EUROPOL.
Such a high level agreement EUROPOL concluded with a number of countries, including United States, Canada, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and etc.
Director of EUROPOL specially visited Georgia to conclude the mentioned agreement.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili, members of the government and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
“Becoming the operative partner of EUROPOL, means that Georgia will take its worthy place among European police services of the EU states. By concluding the mentioned agreement we become member of the European family in law enforcement sphere”-stated Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
I would say that this agreement has a historic meaning, since this is another huge and important step forward on Georgia’s way to Euro integration. Beginning from today, Georgia will become operative and strategic partner country of EUROPOL which will move our cooperation with European police service on another level. This means the expanded security! This means more enhanced cooperation with European law enforcement agencies. This means more effective joint fight against the trans-border crime! This means that we became member of the European family in the law enforcement sphere!”-stated Giorgi Mgebrishvili.
Before the agreement was signed Minister of Internal Affairs held private meeting with the director of EUROPOL. Giorgi Mgebrishvili and Rob Wainwright discussed details of the future cooperation and tackled new plans. Sides also discussed the importance of launching visa free regime. At the meeting it was pointed out that in the process implementation of VLAP, Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs has made a huge contribution, including reforms implemented in this direction and enhancement of the international police cooperation.
Agreement between Georgia and EUROPOL on operational and strategic will come into force after ratification by the Parliament of Georgia.
