On Wednesday 18 May 2022, a MoU on the collaboration to fight illicit maritime trafficking was officially signed in Trinidad and Tobago.
Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, met with Head of Delegation of the European Union, Peter Cavendish, as well ad SEACOP Project Director, Dominique Bucas to formalise the continued cooperation of Trinidad and Tobago and the SEACOP project.
The ceremony took place at the Ministry of National Security Head Office in Port-of-Spain. In their opening remarks, both Minister Hinds and H.E Cavendish stated that the MoU signing demonstrates the further strengthening of collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union, as it relates to combatting transnational crime, in particular the transshipment of illicit narcotics, which will redound to bolstering domestic, regional and international security.
Also speaking and signing the MOU, on behalf of Expertise France, was Project Director of the SEACOP Mr. Dominique Bucas. In 2015, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago agreed to participate in the European Union SEACOP Project. SEACOP was established in 2010 and is one of seven (7) projects under the wider EU-funded GIFP, which is aimed at effectively addressing the broad spectrum of challenges presented by organised crime and drug trafficking, particularly cocaine trafficking.
Also present at the Signing Ceremony were Permanent Secretary (Ag.) of the Ministry of National Security Mr. Gary Joseph; Chief of Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel; Commissioner of Police (Ag.) Mr. Mc Donald Jacob; Chief Immigration Officer Ms. Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews; Comptroller of the Customs and Excise Division (Ag.) Mr. Bernard Nicholas; Deputy Director of the International Affairs Unit, Ministry of National Security, Major (Ret’d) Richard Lynch; representatives of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit and National Operations Fusion Centre; as well as Programme Manager Ms. Monica Paul-McLean and Political Officer Mr. Sanjin Soldatic of the Delegation of the European Union in Trinidad and Tobago.
Following the MOU Signing Ceremony, Minister Hinds hosted a courtesy call with the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Peter Cavendish, and Project Director of the SEACOP Mr. Dominique Bucas. Discussions reinforced the longstanding bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union, and focused on deepening engagements as well as expanding joint initiatives.
