Interior Ministers of Estonia and German Land of Schleswig-Holstein to conclude cooperation agreement

Press release no. 124

On Wednesday, August 23, Interior Minister Kalle Laanet and Ralf Stegner, the Interior Minister of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein in the Federal Republic of Germany currently visiting Estonia, will conclude a police cooperation agreement.

"As borders are now disappearing in Europe, it is important for law enforcement authorities to establish efficient cooperation with colleagues in other countries. Such agreements allow commencement of rapid and efficient work and direct communication between the law enforcement authorities of different countries," said Interior Minister Kalle Laanet.

Estonia and the Land of Schleswig-Holstein will confirm in the agreement their readiness to strengthen cooperation in the fight against crime in the Baltic Sea region. The agreement outlines matters of strengthening cooperation aimed at combating terrorism, organised crime, narcotics-related crime, illegal import and export of cultural goods, motor vehicle theft, economic crimes, counterfeiting of means of payment and their distribution and illegal trade in weapons, explosives and radioactive materials.

The agreement also tackles the issue of strengthening current cooperation, for instance to ensure traffic safety, supervise shipping and implement preventive measures. The Interior Ministers of Estonia and the German Land of Schleswig-Holstein will also announce their readiness to continue mutual training and consulting activities.

The police cooperation agreement to be concluded between Estonia and the German Land of Schleswig-Holstein stipulates that the two countries will annually compile an activity programme containing concrete cross-border police cooperation measures.