Interpol Secretary General calls for broader information exchange to tackle crimes

Interpol's Secretary General Jurgen Stock said on Wednesday the security of Europe depends on a close relationship with countries which are outside European borders.

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 44th European regional conference of Interpol, which opened here on Wednesday.

Stock said attention should be paid to a broader information exchange as data are of crucial importance for the criminal police. He said the 17 databases operated by Interpol should be used as much as possible.

Participants of the three-day conference will discuss issues including anti-terrorism, border protection, cyber crime and cooperation between Interpol and individual countries' police.

This is the first Interpol conference that was held in Prague. It attracted more than 150 delegates, observers and guests from more than 50 countries.

The European conference is one of four annual conferences that are held every year in addition to Interpol's general assembly.

Czech police president Tomas Tuhy said the conference should help join forces in the fight against organized crime.

The conference is held under the aegis of Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec, who said the current security threats are global.

The crime rates have decreased in the Czech Republic, yet the country must keep in mind that it must react to the problems beyond its borders. If the country is not capable of reacting, these problems would come sooner or later, said Chovanec.

On the migrant crisis, Chovanec said Prague was prepared to discuss who will be allowed to enter Czech territory. On the other hand, the country is ready to aid those in need.

After the conference, Chovanec will announce the termination of the security measures the government took after the Brussels attacks in March. Mixed military-police patrols would be withdrawn from airports, railway stations and other places. Enditem