OSCE Secretariat and EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) sign agreement on mutual co-operation

Senior officials from the OSCE Secretariat and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) signed a document on 3 July 2017 in Vienna to strengthen mutual co-operation with the aim of enhancing the capacities of law enforcement in the fight against transnational threats, including serious and organized crime.

The document, entitled ‘Working Arrangement’, defines the working relationship between the OSCE and CEPOL, specifying, in particular, areas of co-operation as well as mutual support of and participation in training activities for law enforcement.

“This agreement is the result of very positive and productive meetings with the senior management of CEPOL during the last two years,” said Guy Vinet, Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit, on behalf of Rasa Ostrauskaite, Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, when signing the document for the OSCE Secretariat. “The Working Arrangement, will increase training opportunities for the OSCE and its stakeholders, and contribute to our future plans of strengthening the quality and professionalism of law enforcement in OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.”

Detlef Schröder, Deputy Director representing CEPOL at the event, stated: “The OSCE is an important partner for CEPOL in law enforcement training, and by signing this new Working Arrangement we are broadening the horizon of our co-operation. It represents an important step forward in CEPOL’s commitment to provide training for a wider target group of law enforcement officials and to contribute to the continuous improvement of cross-border law enforcement co-operation.”

Training courses organized by the OSCE and CEPOL would aim to increase the knowledge of law enforcement officials of international and European co-operation instruments and mechanisms, and in a broad range of specific areas, including counter-terrorism, border control, law enforcement co-operation, cyber security, and the fight against organized crime, irregular migration, trafficking in illicit drugs, trafficking in human beings, smuggling of migrants, and cybercrime.