Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia will second its Liaison Officer to Europol
Giorgi Gakharia, Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, and the high-level delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs paid official visit to the Headquarters of Europol, located in Hague, the Netherlands.
In the Framework of the visit, Giorgi Gakharia met with Executive Director of Europol Rob Wainwright. Minister and Executive Director signed “Memorandum of Understanding on the Secure Communication Line between Georgia and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation” and “Liaison Agreement between Georgia and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation”.
Mentioned documents are very important for further development of cooperation between Georgia and Europol. Based on them the Agreement between Georgia and Europol on Operative and Strategic Cooperation signed on April 4, 2017 will be implemented. More precisely based on the Memorandum of Understanding on the Secure Communication Line, upon its entry into force after ratification by the Parliament of Georgia the secure communication line will be created between parties, which will enable sides to share information and data, including operative information. Liaison Agreement is in force upon signature. Based on it Georgia is already able to second Liaison Officer to the Europol’s HQ.
Giorgi Gakharia additionally informed Executive Director about planned institutional changes in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, among those on creation within the Central Criminal Police Department of the single unified body responsible for all types of international operative law enforcement cooperation.
During the meeting the parties discussed the possibility of developing cooperation in the field of intelligence led policing and sharing experience on methodology of data collection and analysis for the proper assessment of threats related to organized crime and cybercrime.
It is important to mention that Europol owns valuable experience in that field and mentioned cooperation will significantly improve the capabilities of Georgian law enforcement agencies regarding fighting and prevention of crime. Additionally Georgian side expressed its readiness for cooperation with European Cyber Center, which was created within Europol in 2013.
Minister Gakharia reaffirmed full readiness and support for operative and non-operative cooperation with Europol and law enforcement agencies of EU member states via Europol.
