Ukraine, Italy to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime - Avakov

Ukraine, Italy to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime - Avakov

Ukrinform
Ukraine and Italy have agreed to exchange experience between their law enforcement agencies and to strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime and illegal migration, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said.

He said this after a meeting with Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese in Rome on Wednesday, August 5, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's press service reported.

"The parties discussed the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, in particular, on cyber threats, the fight against transnational crime and illegal migration," the report said.

According to Avakov, a joint interstate operational group called "Sea" was launched as a joint initiative of Ukrainian and Italian law enforcement agencies within Europol in February 2020 and the results of the group's work can already be seen now.

"Compared to 2018, when 88 Ukrainians were detained for participation in the transportation of illegal migrants, the number of such detentions in 2019 was 53, and in 2020 it was even smaller - 10. Through the efforts of international joint investigation teams, we will conduct a set of intelligence and preventive measures against blocking such crimes," Avakov said.

He also thanked Lamorgese for Italy's clear position on the punishment of Italian mercenaries fighting on the side of Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.

"I am grateful to the Republic of Italy for its consistent position on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Three Italians have received real prison terms for participation in pro-Russian illegal armed groups in Donbas, and more than 20 Italian citizens, according to our data, took part in such illegal armed groups. I hope that other members of terrorist organizations, regardless of the host country, will receive a fair sentence," he said.

Avakov also said the activity of the so-called "DPR/LPR" offices in Italy was unacceptable.

According to him, such public organizations, which do not have and cannot have any official diplomatic status, may be involved in illegal and terrorist activities, in particular, in the recruitment of radical militants for their participation in illegal armed groups in temporarily occupied territories.

During the meeting, both parties also agreed to exchange experience between Ukrainian and Italian law enforcement officers.

"Today we discussed the joint training and internship of our police officers in Italy. In addition, we are ready to share with our Italian colleagues the experience of the work of the dialogue police, the fight against domestic violence and the fight against the spread of drugs via the Internet," Avakov said.

He also added that Ukraine was delegating an Interior Ministry representative to the embassy in Italy, which should strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration.

For its part, the Italian side expressed hope for the further deepening of cooperation.

Lamorgese also thanked doctors from the Ukrainian Interior Ministry who helped their Italian colleagues combat COVID-19.

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