EU-funded INTERPOL project assists Ukrainian police by providing training, link to INTERPOL communications network

٧ نوفمبر، ٢٠٠٨

KIEV, Ukraine – The inauguration of INTERPOL’s I-24/7 global police communications system training centre was held yesterday at the Kiev National University of Internal Affairs as part of a project worth EUR 1 million, funded by the European Union (EU).

The brand-new training centre will act as a vital forum for the acquisition of skills, the exchange of information and the enhancement of national, regional and international police co-operation.

With EU financial support, INTERPOL has been expanding access to I-24/7 to remote sites throughout several countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States to put INTERPOL tools and services directly into the hands of officers in the field and on the front lines.

Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by INTERPOL Executive Director for Police Services Jean-Michel Louboutin, Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Bedrikivsky, Mr. Martin Schieder, Head of Operations Section 1 of the European Commission Delegation to Ukraine, Head of NCB Ukraine Colonel Nevolya, the leadership of the Kiev National University of Internal Affairs, and other representatives from the European Commission, Ministry of Interior and INTERPOL.

Mr Bedrikivsky underlined that the new INTERPOL I-24/7 Training Centre is unique for Ukraine because it makes use of active network equipment which allows direct access to INTERPOL’s global databases through I-24/7.

Mr Louboutin said the EU-funded INTERPOL project combined the key elements for successful international police co-operation. “It has provided the necessary modern technology for Ukrainian police officers to access INTERPOL’s secure global communications system and databases”, he said. “In addition, it established this training centre as an important venue for police to continue to improve their skills in international policing and learn about the most recent tools and services created by INTERPOL.”

“To ensure the widest possible use of INTERPOL tools and services, it is a priority to invest in the capacity of our National Central Bureaus. They are the link between INTERPOL, the national police and police forces around the world”, Mr Louboutin said. “Once this is achieved, the next step is to expand access of INTERPOL tools and services to police working in the field.”

Mr Martin Schieder, Head of Operations Section 1 of the European Commission Delegation to Ukraine, added: “Enhancing training of the police is a joint objective agreed in the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. The concrete results of this project – a global police communications system training centre – which you see here today, will help to fulfill the goals of the Action Plan.”

The project began in January 2007 with the main objective of putting into place a basis for regional and international co-operation as a means to supporting the national police forces of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) East region to fight national and international crime more effectively.