Ukraine and France strengthen cooperation in law enforcement
Interior Minister Denis Monastyrsky held a meeting with his French counterpart, French Interior Minister Gerald Dermanen. The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and cybercrime.
Denis Monastyrsky and Gerald Dermanen noted the high level of Ukrainian-French police cooperation. Recently, law enforcement officers of both countries conducted a joint operation to work out an international criminal group that was engaged in human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution. As a result of the agreed actions, about 40 Ukrainian citizens were released.
Ukraine and France actively interact within the framework of Interpol and Europol. Currently, a joint group of specialists from France, Ukraine and Norway, who are fighting cybercrime, is professionally operating in Europol.
Also during the meeting, the parties agreed to resume the practice of close cooperation between the National Guard of Ukraine and the French gendarmerie. The French side is ready to provide the widest advisory support, as well as to share experience, in particular, in conducting rescue operations involving helicopters.
Ministers stressed the need to update the contractual and legal framework of relations, in particular, the preparation of a new basic agreement instead of the current intergovernmental cooperation in law enforcement, which was signed back in 1998.
Gerald Dermanen assured his readiness to return to the negotiation process on the draft agreement on the mutual recognition and exchange of national driver's licenses. To this end, an expert mission of the French Ministry of Internal Affairs will arrive in Ukraine in the near future.
Ministers noted a shared vision and awareness of contemporary challenges and agreed to join forces to counter the threats.
Denis Monastyrsky invited his French counterpart to visit Ukraine next year in order to be able to get acquainted with the potential of the Ukrainian civil security forces.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
