GULF-UAE: Italian cooperation in police training

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Feb 5 2003 (IPS) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Italian Ministries of Interior have chalked out a plan to cooperate in police training and other security and intelligence services, an Italian official said yesterday.

"The local authorities have expressed their interest in the Italian training programs targeting police staff, and cooperation could be extended in the future in this field," said Senator Antonio d’Ali, Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Interior, according to a report in the ‘Gulf News’.

During an informal visit to the UAE, d’Ali said that training UAE national police officers in Italy will enhance the cooperation in security and intelligence between the two countries. "There is a strong relationship between Italy and the UAE in the field of security services which we are willing to pursue, but details cannot be provided. We are going through a very delicate moment," he said, referring to the recent discovery of international terrorist cells in Naples, Palermo and Milan.

Italy, he said, is currently on alert due the presence of terrorists in its territory, but the Italian government has shown its resolve to crush these groups. Referring to the relationship between the two countries, d’Ali said strengthening cultural ties with the Gulf region in general, is also a target pursued by the Italians. "The promotion of the Italian culture and heritage in the UAE and the Gulf in general has not yet been put into focus by the Italian authorities, but it could become one of the next engagements of the current government in the region."

D’Ali, who met with Juma Al Majid, Chairman of the Juma Al Majid Group, expressed deep appreciation for the attention and care displayed by the local authorities and people towards the UAE culture and heritage. "I praise their sensibility and attention towards the cultural heritage, which I saw in prominent figures I met during my visit. We want to establish a deep cultural exchange between the two countries."

He said his informal visit represents a step in this direction and expressed the wish that the Italian cultural institutions and foundations bring some of the major exhibitions and events to the Gulf, and the UAE in particular.