Opening the conference, San Marino’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Antonella Mularoni recognized INTERPOL’s role in fighting the serious challenges posed to all countries by globalization.

More than 130 delegates from 49 countries and 10 international organizations are attending the 38th INTERPOL European Conference.

See also

News & Media Releases   INTERPOL European conference opens with call for strategic approach against threats to world safety        Media invitation for 38th INTERPOL European Regional Conference in San Marino      Speeches   Remarks by Mr Khoo Boon Hui, INTERPOL president (28 May 2009)   Speech by Antonella Mularoni, Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs, Telecommunications and Transport of the Republic of San Marino (27 May 2009)   Address by Mr Khoo Boon Hui, president of INTERPOL (27 May 2009)   Speech by Ronald K. Noble, INTERPOL Secretary General (27 May 2009) See also   Photo gallery   Previous Conferences

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Mr. President of INTERPOL,
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Vice President for Europe and Executive Committee Members,
Distinguished Delegates, Representatives of INTERPOL Member Countries,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In welcoming you to the Republic of San Marino, I wish to express, also on behalf of the Government, my most sincere satisfaction for having chosen this country as the venue of the 38th INTERPOL European Regional Conference. The Republic of San Marino is honoured to host this important annual event shortly after being admitted to the International Criminal Police Organization in September 2006, following the official visit to San Marino of INTERPOL Secretary General, Mr Ronald K. Noble.

During this Conference, INTERPOL leaders and the Delegates from European member countries - forming part of the great family of this Organization, which, with its 187 members, is the world’s largest international police organisation - will discuss a large number of issues that are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s international context. The objective is to enhance joint efforts in the fight against organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and its distorting effects - first of all financial crime – and improve mutual co-operation, also through strengthened information and communication systems and increasingly advanced training programmes.

Today’s globalisation process urges our systems, without exception, to constantly adapt and change at an ever-increasing pace. In this context, San Marino, like your countries, strongly believes in the great opportunities offered by globalisation but is also aware of the serious challenges it poses.
In this regard, I wish to stress the special role played by INTERPOL in protecting our societies and preventing and combating unbearable crimes such as trafficking in human beings, sexual abuse and exploitation of children and terrorism.

On this occasion, I would also like to underline that San Marino is strongly committed to contributing, to the best of its capacity, to INTERPOL’s efforts for global security.
Let me briefly outline some of the most recent decisions taken at a national level to this end.

Following the adoption of a new law containing provisions preventing and combating money laundering and terrorist financing in June 2008, a special Financial Intelligence Agency has been established.
Furthermore, San Marino has recently ratified the European Conventions on legal assistance and extradition.
These measures are a further contribution offered by the Republic of San Marino in support of the activities carried out by international organizations in these fields.

Also on this occasion, the Republic of San Marino reiterates its hope that promotion of dialogue across different cultures and religions, to which it gives priority attention at an international level, will contribute to developing understanding among people, while increasing mutual respect, easing tensions and weakening extremism and radicalism that are so often at the basis of terrorism.

At a domestic level, due to an increase in petty crime, our country has decided to strengthen its security system also by introducing video surveillance systems and enhancing law enforcement capacity and instruments. Moreover, the sixth general census of the population to be conducted in the next few months will help us detect the unlawful presence of people in the country and take better targeted measures in this respect.

Confident that you will achieve important results at the end of this conference, I wish you a fruitful debate and stress once again the wholehearted appreciation of our country for hosting this event. This is particularly true in the light of the passionate defence of the value of freedom, which, at the basis of the Republic’s foundation more than 1700 years ago, is still expressed today by its Military Corps and is reflected, as you will have the opportunity to see during your stay here, in the walls and fortifications surrounding the three tops of Mount Titano. Indeed, Mount Titano has recently been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List on account of the special significance of San Marino’s medieval image indissolubly linked to its very ancient history and deep respect for liberty.

While thanking you for your participation, I declare this conference open and wish you all a fruitful work.