On June 28, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo – BELTA/. Information exchange between the internal affairs bodies of Belarus and Russia will be aimed at the early detection and suppression of criminal groups and individuals. This was stated to journalists by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Belarus, Igor Shunevich, summing up the results of the joint board of the ministries of internal affairs of the Union State, which concluded its work in Vitebsk, BELTA correspondent reports. According to the mutual opinion of the Ministers of Internal Affairs of Belarus and Russia, Igor Shunevich and Vladimir Kolokoltsev, the board held a constructive discussion of all issues on the agenda. Problematic issues that hindered mutually beneficial cooperation between internal affairs bodies were discussed. Igor Shunevich noted that there is still a lack of information exchange and data sharing on criminal communities and their members. The exchange of such data will be further developed and implemented. In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus plans to train its employees based on the practical experience of the Russian police. Special attention will be paid to the practical component of interaction: joint operational developments aimed at combating transnational crime. Speaking about countering extremist manifestations, Vladimir Kolokoltsev noted that the methods and ways of combating extremism are not regional. "In the fight against extremism, skill and perseverance are needed. This is an evil that has no national borders," the Russian minister emphasized. His Belarusian counterpart added that information exchange in the fight against extremism will be aimed at prevention, early detection of criminals' intentions and aspirations. The meeting of the joint board addressed issues of developing joint information and telecommunication technologies, organizing communications and information security, aspects of cooperation in countering extremism: conducting joint special operations, exercises, and the possibility of unifying legislation. The draft work plan of the Joint Board of the Ministries of Internal Affairs of the Union State for 2013 was also discussed, and final documents were signed. -0-

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