The Director General of the Italian National Police, Giovanni De Gennaro, center, watches a demonstration of the I-24/7 communications system given by project official Aleksandra Skol. INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble is on the right and I-24/7 Project Director Stanley Morris on the left.

LYON, France - The Director General of the Italian National Police, Giovanni De Gennaro, met on Thursday with INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble and pledged to forge strong links between Italian law enforcement officials and the international police organization.

Mr De Gennaro said after his private meeting with Mr Noble that close police cooperation was essential in combating major trans-border crimes.

'I think it is important to reinforce our common investigative capacity to meet the challenges of major international crimes such as terrorism, illegal immigration and drug trafficking,' Mr De Gennaro said.

Mr De Gennaro said Italy could also provide expertise and assistance in solving crimes involving stolen works of art and cultural objects. Italian police specialists and museum officials have important specialized knowledge in this area, he said, and this could be useful in the ongoing search for the art treasures stolen in Iraq during the war.

Mr Noble said direct contact between INTERPOL and senior police officials was an important way to build useful working relationships.

'In order for international police cooperation to work well, there must be close collaboration between INTERPOL and its member countries,' Mr Noble said. 'This visit has provided a valuable opportunity for INTERPOL and Italy to reinforce their already close collaboration.'

Mr De Gennaro travelled to Lyon for his meetings at INTERPOL along with a number of senior Italian police officials, including Giuseppe Fera, Italy's Deputy Director General of National Security.

The Italian delegation visited INTERPOL's international police communications centre and met senior officers to discuss the organization's new I-24/7 communications system.

INTERPOL was set up in 1923 to facilitate cross-border criminal police cooperation. Today, it is the largest international police organization in the world, with 181 member countries spread over five continents.