The Uzbek paper said Gayrat Qodirov, first deputy minister of internal affairs received the German delegation and held talks with the visitor.

Mr Qodirov said cooperation between the interior ministries of Uzbekistan and Germany embraces the entire range of relations in the field of law-enforcement and it is long-term, friendly and mutually beneficial.

An agreement between the governments of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Federal Republic of Germany on cooperation in combating organized crime, terrorism and other highly dangerous crimes signed in November 1995 serves as a legal foundation for these relations.

Gayrat Qodirov also acquainted his German delegation with the structure of the Uzbek law-enforcement agencies, key directions of activities of the country’s Interior Ministry and the current crime situation. They focused attention on combating international terrorism and religious extremism, counteracting the spread of drugs and other forms of organized crime.

In response, August Hanning thanked the Uzbek side for the warm reception and exhaustive information. He said that there was much in common in the activities of the interior agencies of the two countries, specifically in the field of combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Given that these crimes are taking an international nature, the two countries’ law-enforcement agencies need to reinforce and deepen interaction in this area.

They noted that the interior ministries of Uzbekistan and Germany mainly cooperate via Interpol channels, and there were concrete results in this activity, particularly in locating wanted criminals.

They expressed a common opinion that the law-enforcement agencies of the two countries had great unused potential for cooperation, and voiced confidence that it would effectively develop in the future.

The meeting was held in a businesslike and friendly atmosphere, and also discussed some other issues of mutual interest.