HUYE - A one-day meeting that brought together Police Chiefs from Rwanda and Burundi ended on Tuesday with a greater resolve to combat cross-border crimes.

The meeting focussed on cooperation between the two countries basing on already existing memorandum of understanding signed in April 2009 by their respective Ministers in charge of Police affairs.

"The meeting resolved that each Country tackles internal serious crimes but also forge closer cooperation in combating crimes across borders,” said Police spokesman, Superintendant Eric Kayiranga, in an interview with The New Times.

The MoU requested such meetings to be held every six months. They bring together different security organs led by Police from the two Countries.

Common crimes identified during the meeting include; vehicle and motorcycle thefts, illegal possession of firearms, human and drug trafficking and currency counterfeit.

"On vehicle and motorcycle thefts, the meeting resolved to make information sharing more efficient so that such criminals are brought to book. It also resolved to fight environmental crimes- a new addition to our crime lists,” added Superintendant Kayiranga.

Fabien Ndayishimye, the Director General of Burundi Police said that the meeting was a boost to bilateral cooperation.

"Such meetings strengthen cooperation. We pledge to implement the resolutions of this meeting immediately,” he said.

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