Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
Opportunities for Cooperation between Estonia and ... - Valitsus
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<strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> have dispatched police liaison officers on a reciprocal basis<br />
since the 1990s. As a result of the ef<strong>for</strong>ts of the liaison officers, interaction<br />
<strong>between</strong> the judicial authorities of the two countries has evolved in a more<br />
transparent <strong>and</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mal direction. <strong>Cooperation</strong> <strong>between</strong> the Finnish <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Estonia</strong>n police organizations is so close that the liaison officers have become<br />
indispensable. This <strong>for</strong>m of cooperation needs to be developed further.<br />
Although police cooperation on the operative level has been going smoothly, it<br />
would be advisable to give more thought to the content of strategic cooperation.<br />
Strategic cooperation makes it possible to highlight the most important longterm<br />
joint objectives <strong>and</strong> coordinate activities in order to attain these goals.<br />
Additionally, it would help improve efficiency in using the national resources of<br />
both countries.<br />
<strong>Cooperation</strong> <strong>between</strong> the Baltic Sea countries to combat organized crime<br />
within the framework of the Baltic Sea Task Force has proved to be useful. A<br />
joint interest, shared by the security police of both countries, is to cooperate<br />
in fighting international terrorism.<br />
Since 1994, cooperation <strong>between</strong> the Border Guards of <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> has<br />
been based on a Protocol on <strong>Cooperation</strong> drafted annually. Regional border<br />
control cooperation is being carried out within the framework of the Baltic Sea<br />
Region Border Control <strong>Cooperation</strong> (BSRBCC). <strong>Estonia</strong> <strong>and</strong> Finl<strong>and</strong> have been<br />
actively involved in these ef<strong>for</strong>ts.<br />
Aside from border control <strong>and</strong> the prevention of illegal immigration <strong>and</strong> other<br />
crimes, sea rescue is an important area of cooperation <strong>between</strong> the border<br />
authorities. The considerable increase in the volume of north-south <strong>and</strong> eastwest<br />
shipping on the Gulf of Finl<strong>and</strong> alone means a heightened risk of maritime<br />
accidents simply because of the crossing lines of traffic.<br />
<strong>Cooperation</strong> <strong>between</strong> the search <strong>and</strong> rescue services of the two countries is<br />
important. Climate change may give rise to natural catastrophes causing major<br />
damage. Managing the consequences of extensive fires, heavy storms, flooding<br />
<strong>and</strong> other catastrophes calls <strong>for</strong> a carefully thought-out <strong>and</strong> professional response.<br />
The exchange of in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong> cooperation <strong>between</strong> the rescue services of<br />
the two countries, <strong>and</strong> a high level of professional training <strong>and</strong> efficiency of the<br />
personnel enhance our capabilities to work together in rescue operations both<br />
in our respective home l<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> elsewhere in the world when necessary.<br />
<strong>Cooperation</strong> in the field of internal security requires reciprocal trust <strong>between</strong><br />
the authorities <strong>and</strong> the recognition of mutual interests. If we seek to improve<br />
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