News and Media Releases   Interpol European countries show solidarity at conference      (18/05/2006)   Interpol European regional conference opens in Belarus      (17/05/2006)   Letter from Interpol’s President and Secretary General to all National Central Bureaus regarding the 35th European Regional Conference      (12/05/2006)   Statement regarding Interpol’s political neutrality and independence   (12/05/2006)   European Conference to address regional policing issues      (12/05/2006)   Media invitation for 35th Interpol European Regional Conference      (05/05/2006) Speeches   Speech by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble (17/05/2006) See also   Photo gallery   34th European Regional Conference, Nicosia, May 2005   33rd European Regional Conference, Kiev, May 2004   32nd European Regional Conference, Noordwijk, May 2003   31st European Regional Conference, Tallinn, June 2002

LYON, France – Senior law enforcement officials from throughout Europe will meet in Minsk, Belarus, from 17-18 May at the 35th INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

The conference will focus on operational issues such as co-ordinated police response, expansion of access to INTERPOL’s databases and on crime areas including trafficking in human beings, drugs and organised crime.

The opening ceremony and speeches by INTERPOL President Jackie Selebi and senior Belarusian officials will be open to the media at 9.30am on Wednesday 17 May.

A press conference is planned for immediately after the opening ceremony at approximately 10.30am, in which the INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble and senior Belarusian officials will participate.

The conference itself is closed to the media, however a press briefing will be held on the second day. Opening and closing press releases will also be issued to journalists and made available on the INTERPOL website.

Simultaneous translations of press conferences and public sessions will be available in English, French, Spanish and Russian. The event will be held at The Planeta Hotel, Masherov Avenue, Minsk.

Journalists wishing to cover the event are advised to apply immediately for accreditation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All requests should be sent no later than Friday 12 May. Journalists who already have temporary or permanent accreditation should send their application to fax number +375 17 210 42 51.

Journalists not already accredited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should complete the press accreditation application form available via the Ministry website, http://www.mfa.gov.by/eng where guidelines on the application procedure can also be found. In addition to faxing all requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, copies of all accreditation applications should also be sent to the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Minsk on fax +375 17 227 08 84.

For additional information on the accreditation procedure please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on telephone +375 17 227 51 54.