On the occasion of 20th anniversary of Central-European Police College (CEPOL) established on the initiative of Hungary and Austria ceremony was held on Monday evening in Vienna with the participation of Sándor Pintér, Interior Minister of Hungary and Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Austrian Federal Minister for the Interior.
Aim of the college is to encourage international law enforcement cooperation for the fight against organised and cross-border crime through joint training programmes. Police officers with a higher level of education take part in the training primarily which is held in German language. The training focuses on the following priority areas: cooperation in border security, border surveillance and criminal police matters.
Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany and Switzerland have been involved in the cooperation of the founders – Austria and Hungary - later. The idea to train the participants of the cross-border authority cooperation in common college according to common principals played central role in the establishment – said Sándor Pintér. We have succeeded to set up the college in one year, since that time new countries have been participated and the areas of activities have been increased. During 20 years about four thousand people took part in the trainings.
We can only counter international crime successfully, if we cooperate on an international level – emphasized Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Austrian Federal Minister for the Interior. She highlighted the joint action against illegal immigration as an example of the cooperation between Austria and Hungary.
Following the opening speeches of the Ministers, Sándor Pintér honoured the former Extraordinary Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary, Gábor Fontányi, who played essential role in the establishment of the college. The former diplomat has been awarded with the Order of Merit (military) – Commander Cross with a Star for facilitating the political, economic and police cooperation between Austria and Hungary.
Ministers held discussion on several issues including illegal migration, asylum and the EU cooperation after the ceremony.
(MTI; kormany.hu)
