Agreement between the Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic on Cooperation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Public Order of the Hellenic Republic on Combating Crime, Especially Terrorism, Organized Crime, Illicit Drug Trafficking and Illegal Immigration

The Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic, hereinafter called "the Parties",

Taking into consideration the link between terrorism and organized crime and that among organized crimes, the illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and arms, money laundering and illegal immigration have reached enormous dimensions in the world,

Motivated by their common will to cooperate effectively in combating organized crime, illegal immigration, illicit trafficking of drugs and terrorism,

Herewith agree:

Article 1
The Parties engage themselves, in conformity with their national legislation and international obligations, to cooperate in combating:
a. Terrorist activities and crimes committed by individuals or groups,
b. Illicit cultivation, production, trade, transportation and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemicals used in the production of them,
c. Other organized crimes (such as illicit trafficking of persons),
d. Illicit trafficking of arms, including biological, chemical and radioactive weapons, ammunition, explosives, nuclear and radioactive materials, as well as poisonous substances,
e. Forgery in passports, visas and other official documents,
f. Transboundary crimes and criminals,
g. Illegal immigration,
h. Illicit trafficking of cultural and historical works of art,
i. Money laundering,
j. Money laundering in relation to one or more of the above mentioned acts, as well as to other criminal acts.

Article 2
Cooperation between the two Parties in the field mentioned in Article 1 of the Agreement will be achieved, in conformity with their national legislation, through:
a. Exchange of information and experience in fields of common interest.
b. Exchange of experience on utilizing criminal technology, as well as methods and means for criminal research.
c. Exchange of information, knowledge and experience in the field of border controls in order to detect forged travel documents and to prevent illegal entry and illegal immigration.
d. Exchange of information helping prevention of terrorist activities and crimes, as well as of organized crimes in general.
e. Exchange of information, experience and assistance on new methods used for the production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, their international trafficking, concealment and distribution, in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as was amended by the Amendment Protocol in 1972, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
f. Exchange of brochures, publications and results of scientific researches in fields covered by this Agreement, throughout planning and taking measures of common interest.

Article 3
The Parties, in conformity with their national legislation and international obligations agree to cooperate on the combat of terrorism by:
a. Taking effective measures in order to prevent terrorist activities and crimes against the security of the other party in their own countries,
b. Exchanging - on request or on their own initiative - information and data on individuals or groups, involved in acts of terrorism, terrorist activities and techniques,
c. Jointly evaluating the current emerging terrorist threats,
d. Periodically exchanging experiences and technological knowledge concerning the security of land, air, sea, and railway transport in order also to upgrade the security standards adopted in the airports, ports, and railway stations to face terrorist threats.

Article 4
In conformity with their national legislation the Parties, on request or on their own initiative, will provide information, details and data with a view to counter-acting illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemicals used in the production of them and organizations linked to this traffic.

In particular this co-operation shall include:
a. The exchange of methods used against the illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other substances generally used in the production of them,
b. The exchange of experts and planning of joint training courses on specific investigation and operational techniques in the various fields concerned.

Article 5
The Parties shall ensure, according to their national legislation and their international commitments, the necessary conditions in order to carry out controlled deliveries of drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as precursors used for their preparation.

Article 6
With respect to organized crime, the Parties agree that the cooperation will be carried out through rthe following measures:
a. Systematic, detailed and immediate exchanges of information and data on organizations linked to crime,
b. Exchanges of police experts so as to work jointly.

Article 7
The Parties commit themselves to take common measures in order to prevent money laundering.

Article 8
The Parties shall cooperate in the combat against illegal immigration.

Until an agreement of Readmission is concluded, the Parties will readmit the persons, namely their nationals as well as the nationals of third countries who have illegally crossed or shall cross the borders of one or more of the Parties, coming from the territory of the other Party.

For the implementation of the above, the Parties will jointly establish, as soon as possible, the principles and necessary procedures for the readmission of the said persons, through a relevant document.

The Parties shall communicate mutually, through diplomatic channels, specimens of new travel documents, seals and types of visas, in order to prevent and combat the illegal crossing of borders.

Article 9
The Parties also agree to cooperate as appropriate and in conformity with their international commitments, in regional and internationals forums in combating terrorism, organized crime, illegal immigration and illicit trafficking of drugs.

Article 10
The Parties shall set up a Coordination Committee, responsible for the implementation of this Agreement, which shall be chaired by the Minister of the Internal Affairs for the Republic of Turkey and by the Minister for Public Order for the Hellenic Republic, or their representatives, with the participatiuon of experts.

Representatives of other Ministries or Authorities could attend the meetings of this Committee, if necessary.

The Coordination Committee shall meet in periods determined through consultations, alternately, in Turkey and in Greece.

Article 11
In order to ensure direct communication during the implementation of this Agreement, the parties will exchange a list of their authorized services.

Article 12
This Agreement does not affect the rights and obligations arising from other international agreements binding upon the Parties.

Article 13
The Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the second notification by which the Parties notify the completion of their respective internal procedures.

Article 14
This Agreement shall remain in force, unless the Parties denounce it through diplomatic channels.

Done in duplicate in Ankara on the 20th of January 2000 in the Turkish, Greek and English languages.

All texts are equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation the English text shall prevail.


For the Republic of Turkey         For the Hellenic Republic
Ismail CEM                                 George A. PAPANDREOU
Minister for Foreign Affairs         Minister for Foreign Affairs