UAE and UK agree on law enforcement to combat terrorism

  2 April 2006
 
ABU DHABI — The UAE has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom on law enforcement to combat terrorism and crime.
The 'memorandum of understanding' agreed by the two countries involves agencies working together to deal with terrorism, serious and organised crime and drugs trafficking.

The British minister in charge of Middle Eastern affairs, Dr Kim Howells, was in Abu Dhabi over the weekend to sign the agreement with the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A spokesperson for the British Embassy said that the agreement seeks to formalise existing co-operation between organisations such as the police and customs from the respective nations — though it is not legally binding. The embassy cannot give information on the specific ways in which the two countries work to fight crime, the spokesperson said.
The agreement follows a recent understanding reached on measures to reduce money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Dr Howells said: "Co-operation between the law enforcement agencies of the UK and the UAE has already led to some notable successes. This memorandum of understanding is an important agreement, which will further enhance co-operation between our two countries in the fight against terrorism and international crime. This co-operation is vital to protect the interests of both our countries."

The British minister visited Bahrain yesterday to offer condolences to the families and friends of those who died in the boat accident there on Thursday night. Twelve Britons were among those who lost their lives after the boat overturned.

Abu Dhabi- Newspapers