BUDAPEST: FOUR MINISTERS SIGN DECLARATION ON POLICE COOPERATION

ZAGREB/BUDAPEST, Nov 22 (Hina) - The interior ministers of Hungary, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia signed a declaration on political cooperation in Budapest Thursday, in which they confirm their determination to intensify said cooperation in the future, with the aim to help make Europe a place of freedom, safety and justice for everyone. The ministers supported the European Council's initiative to pass an international terrorism convention, which should clearly define terrorism and stipulate the signatories' obligations in preventing terrorism. The ministers also discussed the joint fight against organised crime, drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal migrations. Uncontrolled migrations in Hungary, Croatia, Italy and Slovenia are on the rise, particularly on the so-called Balkans route, the ministers concluded. They believe that apart from the regional, a wider international cooperation is necessary. Croatian Interior Minister Sime Lucin said it was agreed to make two geographic maps, which should highlight the routes of organised crime and illegal migrations, and help sever them. Lucin stressed Croatia had signed agreements on police cooperation and readmission with neighbouring countries, but that those with Yugoslavia had not been defined completely. The ministers also agreed to cooperate in the area of police training, which should be based on the work of the International Police Academy in Budapest and some Italian schools, and to create a joint penal legislation and working principles. It was announced the interior ministers could meet again in Croatia in the first half of 2002. (hina) np sb