77th General Assembly Media releases   Singapore Police Commissioner elected new President of INTERPOL (10/10/2008)        INTERPOL elects new President and embarks on ambitious course with launch of Global Security Initiative (10/10/2008)        INTERPOL calls for billion-Euro global fund to address modern-day security challenges through its Global Security Initiative (08/10/2008)        INTERPOL General Assembly opens in Russia with focus on empowering newly-expanded membership in 21st century (07/10/2008)      Speeches   Opening speech by Arturo Herrera Verdugo, INTERPOL senior Vice President         Speech given by Mr. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation         Annual State of the Organization Address by INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble       Multimedia   Bishop Boccardo, General Secretary of the Vatican City State, explains the importance of the Vatican City State joining INTERPOL    Photo gallery

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Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you, the participants attending the 77th Session of the INTERPOL General Assembly, to Russia and to St Petersburg.

First of all, I should like to offer you my congratulations on this, the Organization's 85th anniversary.  Over the last few decades the Organization has become deservedly renowned and gained considerable prestige.  And its acronym – INTERPOL – has become famous the world over.

INTERPOL today has a vast network of bureaus, a comprehensive legal framework and state-of-the-art technical resources.  The unique possibilities thus offered make it possible to detect dangerous offences that have considerable repercussions for the general public, to hit criminal networks hard - and that includes the transnational networks – and to arrest up to 7,000 criminals every year.

It can be said that every day you co-ordinate the work of the international police community.  You help the intelligence and law enforcement services in different countries to find a "common language".

The Russian National Central Bureau (NCB) maintains co-operation links with practically all the Organization's member countries.  We intend to continue encouraging such contacts and actively supporting the international initiatives taken within the framework of INTERPOL.

In this connection, I must mention, among other things, the projects leading to the introduction of modern information technologies, the creation of databases and staff training.

In the same vein, I should like to say that a training centre is already functioning in our country under the auspices of INTERPOL and it is planned to give it international status in the near future.

I can also tell you that, in the space of 15 years, the volume of documents handled by the Russian NCB has increased threefold, rising from 27,500 documents in 1993 to 95,000 in 2007.  In the last 10 years more than 350 people have been extradited to Russia (47 in 2007).  In 2007, Russia handed over a total of 20 people to other countries.

The Russian NCB maintains co-operation links with practically all the Organization's member countries.  Our most active foreign partners are Germany, the United States, Lithuania, Belgium, Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

This disposition towards close co-operation is completely in line with our fundamental position.  Consequently, Russia confirms its support for consolidation of the global community's efforts as it faces the challenges and threats hanging over States and citizens alike.

Only if we act together shall we be able to counter international terrorism and drug-trafficking, put in place barriers against fraudulent financial schemes and cybercrime, and put an end to that most shameful 21st-century phenomenon – trafficking in human beings.

These tasks are listed among INTERPOL's priorities.  And it is our belief that they can only be effectively dealt with if all the participating countries work together in a spirit of solidarity, acting in unison, without adopting "double standards".  Only then will criminals, including those organizing bloody terrorist attacks, know that just and relentless punishment awaits them.

We also intend to make full use of the possibilities afforded by international co-operation in the fight against corruption.  The majority of countries suffer from this grave problem, which cannot be solved by action at purely national level, but only by strengthening the international legal framework and putting barriers in place to hinder those attempting to launder assets derived from criminal activities.

Esteemed colleagues,

The activities of INTERPOL have always been based on two "traditions":  professional brotherhood and reciprocal assistance between partners.

I am convinced that these "traditions" will continue to assist you in your noble mission, whose main objectives are to combat evil, defend the rights and interests of individuals, and strengthen the rule of law.

I wish you every success in your work during this 77th Session of the INTERPOL General Assembly.

Thank you for your attention.