The Minister of Internal Affairs, Giorgi Mghebrishvili opened the annual conference “Future of Migration – Challenges and Responses” of the Association of European Police Colleges in the MIA Academy. The opening of the conference was attended by the AEPC President Norbert Leitner, Rector of the MIA Academy Givi Mikanadze and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Vakhtang Makharoblishvili. “The development of international police cooperation, as well as working out joint approach and strategy by partner countries is of great significance for fighting against global challanges in order to provide an effective fight against crime. Close cooperation between the educational institutions and sharing experience is one of the ways to fulfil this task that helps us to train competentand professional police officers. The higly trained and educated police officer is always one step ahead of the criminal. The strengthening of the Academy’s capabilities, as well as promotion of high and western standards of police education is a priority for me. We want the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to become a regional education center that will contribute to raise standards of police education in Georgia and throughout the region. Also, it will enhance cooperation, stability, security and development in the field of law enforcement between the regional countries”, - said Giorgi Mghebrishvili. The representatives of the training centers and academies of law enforcement structures from 17 countries, as well as various international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees participated in the AEPC’s conference this year. They will discuss the successful practice of different European countries concerning migration in connection of police training. The conference aims to develop international cooperation between training centers and academies of law enforcement structures of partner countries and share experience, as well as develop common approach and strategy to increase the effectiveness of fighting against crime. Within the framework of the conference, the meeting of the Board of the Association for European Police Colleges is to be held. The Board will announce the results of the vote concerning electing the MIA Academy of Georgia as the permanent executive member of the Association. In parallel to the event, the rector of the MIA Academy and the rector of Estonean Academy of Security Sciences signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The document will contribute to enhance close cooperation between the MIA Academy and Estonean Academy of Security Sciences, which will facilitate the coordinated activities between the parties, as well as professional development of the students and personnel. The subject of the Memorandum is organizing joint workshops, seminars and educational projects; conducting exchaneg programs and training visits for the trainees/students; sharing experience and cooperating for institutional capacity development.
