In a global framework, no organization can act efficiently alone. Cooperation is needed with other relevant institutions that are capable of providing additional assistance or knowledge. For this purpose, we have established strong relationships with a wide variety of partners – international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and, private entities – who share our fields of interest.
The legal basis for working together is defined in cooperation agreements. Today we have agreements with a number of international organizations, such as:
- United Nations and several of its specialized agencies;
- EUROPOL;
- Commonwealth of Independent States;
- International Criminal Court;
- African Union;
- Organization of American States;
- Arab Interior Ministers' Council.
We also work with private entities, such as NGOs, associations, foundations, academies or business companies. These relations are formalized in various legal instruments such as cooperation agreements and memorandum of understanding.
Each agreement and its provisions are specific to the scope of cooperation established; this can include information exchange, mutual investigative projects, database access, reciprocal representation or means of technical assistance.
Procedure
Cooperation agreements are developed through mutual negotiation, in compliance with the relative legal instruments, and are then signed by authorized representatives of the parties. The agreements are, however, living documents and they can be amended or replaced by new agreements, when needed and agreed by both parties.