Valentin Mikhnevich
POLOTSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Ways to improve information sharing between Belarusian and Latvian law enforcement agencies in all the key matters relating to fight against crime, particularly in bordering territories, were high on the agenda of the conference that gathered chiefs of the Belarusian and Latvian criminal police in Polotsk on 10 March, BelTA has learned.
During the conference Belarusian First Deputy Interior Minister Valentin Mikhnevich remarked that the Belarusian-Latvian interstate agreement on cooperation in fighting organized crime, drugs smuggling, terrorism and other kinds of crime has been in effect since 2008. “It is our first meeting over a number of years. We have a complete set of legislation but life goes on. Certain processes happen that we need to look into and exchange our opinions. Those are primarily migration processes that have begun in Belarus. Belarus is a transit country in the center of Europe. In order to counteract crimes and bring the guilty ones to justice we need to work together smoothly,” remarked the official.
The improvement of information sharing practices between Belarusian and Latvian law enforcement agencies, particularly those in the bordering territories, is one of the topical tasks. “At present all countries of the world try to work to forestall crimes. People don't have to see police at work yet our work takes effect. The best results are when streets are calm and people feel safe and secure. Even economists say that today's investors evaluate not only the financial climate, tax procedures but also the crime rate in the country before making investments. In other words, security from crime is one of the components required to attract investments,” stressed the Belarusian First Deputy Interior Minister.
Chief of the State Police of Latvia Ints Kuzis agreed with his Belarusian counterpart. “Crimes recognize no borders. Our meeting is aimed at removing borders that stand in the way of police cooperation. The main topics include narcotics, organized crime, trafficking in persons, situations concerning those who seek refuge in another country. These are very important and we should actively share information in this situation,” explained Ints Kuzis. He drew attention to the smuggling of excisable goods as a problem that greatly affects Latvia's state budget. By the way, in 2015 Belarusian and Latvian law enforcement agencies worked together to capture about Br2 billion worth of illegal tobacco goods. Speaking about global problems, the Latvian police chief mentioned terrorism and migration. Public opinion polls indicate that people feel safe in their places of residence yet, seeing what is going on in neighboring countries, they feel concern and are afraid of what future may hold. “Our task is to prove that we have a plan and understanding of where ‘outbreaks' are possible and how they can be prevented,” concluded the Chief of the State Police of Latvia.
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