Brussels: The Minister of Interior of the Government of National Unity, Major General Imad al-Tarabulsi, and his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Amir al-Shammari, have underscored the necessity of ramping up collaborative efforts to tackle organized crime, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking, alongside sharing information and expertise.
According to Libyan News Agency, Minister al-Tarabulsi commended Iraq for its proactive role in countering cross-border organized crime. This acknowledgment came through a statement released by Minister al-Shammari’s media office. The two ministers met on the sidelines of the Second International Conference of the Global Alliance Against Migrant Smuggling, which took place in Brussels, Belgium. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing security cooperation between the two nations.
The statement highlighted that both ministers stressed the need to intensify joint efforts to fight organized crime, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking. They agreed that sharing information and expertise is crucial in curbing the operations of criminal gangs that exploit the region’s economic conditions, creating a cross-border security threat.
Additionally, the statement emphasized the importance of developing communication channels between the interior ministries of Libya and Iraq. The ministers also recognized the value of leveraging shared experiences and expertise, especially concerning border security and addressing security challenges with modern methods. They further agreed on the importance of coordination in relevant international forums.
The concluding remarks from the statement praised Iraq’s active role in combating cross-border organized crime and the efforts by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior in dismantling human smuggling networks. These efforts significantly contribute to the region’s security and stability.