In Rome, the Minister for the Interior, Security and Work Byron Camilleri together with the Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, presided over the signing of an agreement between the Maltese Police Force and the Department for Italian Public Safety. This agreement aims to strengthen the cooperation between the police of the two countries.
The agreement focuses on preventing and fighting transnational organized crime and serious crime. The agreement between the two countries will lead to more information exchange and initiatives of common interest. This together with more training opportunities, including through courses and training activities as required by both parties.
Both sides agreed to share with each other knowledge and experiences, and successful practices used in both countries, on specific themes including organized crime, drug trafficking, financial and economic crime as well as trafficking human together with security and public order – themes that are all aimed at continuing to secure our country as one of the safest in the world.
The agreement also facilitates the establishment of working groups between the Maltese and Italian police with the aim of strengthening the collaboration between the two parties.
The Minister Byron Camilleri claimed that the cooperative relationship between Malta and Italy on matters related to the police led to the signing of this agreement which is testimony to the trust between the two countries and the commitment joint for common challenges. It is also a testimony to our commitment as a country to continue to fight every aspect of crime and the commitment of the Police Force to continue to build on the successes and results achieved in recent years as also certified by the Rule of Law Index and the National Statistics Office, among others. An agreement which, in his words, also prioritizes more training opportunities that prepare the police of both countries to always be ready for any eventuality. He concluded saying that Malta considers the relationship with Italy as an important one and that this agreement will finally mean collective work in favor of the protection of our citizens.
For his part, the Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi expressed his satisfaction for the signing by the police chiefs of the two countries of an agreement which in his words will create synergy and cooperation in matters of ‘ security even more effective. “Despite the fact that the relationship between our two ministries is strong, it is always continuing to develop as evidenced by the regular dialogue between us,” concluded the Italian minister.
On behalf of Malta, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà signed this cooperation agreement, who for his part reiterated that this agreement continues to strengthen the strong ties between the two countries in the fight against -serious and organized crime. At the same time, this agreement recognizes that the Maltese Police Force is now in a position to share its knowledge in specialized areas with other forces. This bilateral cooperation will continue to contribute to a safer Malta and Europe.
Photo (MHSE)
