Pakistan and Greece on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly fight organised crimes, terrorism, illicit trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances. "Both the countries have expressed willingness to strengthen and improve the already existing friendly and co-operative relations as well as co-operate in the areas of human security and safety," said Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao. He was addressing a joint press conference along with Minister of Public Order of Hellenic Republic (Greece), George Voulgarakis after signing the MoU here at the ministry.
Expressing their concern on the danger of spreading organised crime, both the nations also determined to respect national laws of each other and international obligations based on bilateral and multilateral agreements with third countries.
"We want to develop co-operation to curb crimes like drug trafficking and human smuggling to protect our people," Greece minister said.
In reply to a question, Voulgarakis said, during last year 83 Pakistanis were deported from Greece and few were in jails. When asked about giving legal status to expatriates, he said the bill about it is in the Greek Parliament and the immigrants will be legalised after completing certain modalities.
Federal Interior Minister, Aftab Sherpao replying to a question said that both the countries agreed to resolve the problems including human trafficking and were in close contact to resolve the issue of jailed Pakistanis. "We shall soon sort out the matter of Pakistani jailed in Greece," Sherpao said.
To another question, he said, both the countries have no bilateral extradition treaty between them and no such treaty was also a part of this MoU.
"MoU is based on curbing transnational crime and Pakistan and Greece have agreed to discuss such measures with Turkey and Iran also and make them party to the agreement reached between Pakistan and Greece," he said.
He revealed that those involved in human smuggling adopts the route of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey to smuggle Pakistanis to Greece.
It was agreed that the parties should extend co-operation and provide mutual assistance in accordance with their national laws, to curb these menaces.
During a meeting between these two counterparts, it was also agreed to fight against illegal immigration, forgery and altering of any kind of documents, altering and forgery of banknote, credit cards, securities and other valuable items, crime against human life, health, freedom and sexual integrity as well as against theft and illicit trafficking in vehicles. Moreover, it was also agreed to search for disappeared persons who have committed crimes within other country's territory as well as identification of corpses.
Pakistan and Greece also mutually agreed to fight against illicit trafficking in works of historical and cultural heritage, valuable stones and metals, as well as other valuable items. They also resolved to improving methods and means of maintaining and restoring public order and handling crisis situations, such as hijacking, kidnapping, train and educate police officers, co-operate in cultural, sporting and social fields through the exchange of delegations.
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