Luxembourg and France to update police co-operation agreement

In an interview with L'essentiel, Luxembourg Interior Minister Léon Gloden spoke about the need to modernise the 2001 agreement with France on police cooperation. According to him, technology has advanced significantly over the past decades and it is now necessary to determine who will have access to the data, as well as to introduce automatic number plate recognition. Gloden stressed that this is necessary to better fight organised crime and drug trafficking.

Léon Gloden noted that the problem of drug trafficking has a cross-border character. According to him, drug traffickers from neighbouring countries, including France, come to Luxembourg every day and return back. The problem is particularly acute around the railway station in Luxembourg. In this regard, Luxembourg and France intend to strengthen joint patrols on roads and trains, as well as to expand co-operation in other areas.

Gloden explained that the 2001 agreement is outdated, as the technological capabilities of the police have grown considerably since then. He emphasised that data sharing, as well as co-operation at ports and other border crossings, is necessary to effectively fight crime.

Luxembourg also intends to discuss the possibility of revising the rules for joint motorway patrols and improving coordination in the prosecution of criminals abroad. This will be part of the negotiations on the modernisation of the agreement.

Léon Glodin expressed confidence in a constructive dialogue with Bruno Retailleau, French Minister of the Interior. He said both sides share a pragmatic approach and are committed to finding effective solutions to combat cross-border crime.