On Sunday, September 30, at 17:30, Alberto Costa, Minister of Justice, signs the International Agreement that establishes MAOC-N, the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics.

The Agreement will be signed by the Ministers of Justice and/or Home Affairs from seven States: Brian Lenihan, the Irish Minister of Justice, Michèle Alliot-Marie, French Minister for Home Affairs, Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the Spanish Minister for Home Affairs, Giuliano Amato, the Italian Minister for Home Affairs, Hirsch Ballin, the Dutch Minister of Justice and Vernon Coaker, Under-Secretary of State for the Home Office, for the Reduction of Crime in the United Kingdom.

This centre, with its headquarters in Lisbon, started to operate last July 25th. From the beginning, it had the participation of these seven States, in close collaboration with Europol, which has a key role in keeping and analysing information, and also the contribution of the United States of America, as an observer. The aim of the MAOC-N is to stop the import of cocaine from South America into Europe, especially done by sea but also by air.

During this ceremony, held at Palácio Foz, in Lisbon, Mr. Tim Manhire, Executive-Director for MAOC-N, Mr. Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security and Mr. Alberto Costa, the Portuguese Minister of Justice, will be making speeches.

At the end of the ceremony there will be a press conference, with three speakers.

Note: For security reasons the media are asked to arrive no later than 17:15 and must confirm their presence through the following e-mail: andreiad@mj.gov.pt

Programme:

Protocol signature of the MAOC-N Agreement - Palácio Foz - 30 September 2007

• 17:15 - Arrival of guests at Palácio Foz (Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon)
• 17:30 - Arrival of Ministers from those countries that govern the participant police forces (Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom) and checking of agreements
• 17:45 - Reading of Agreement's summary
• 17:50 - Signature of Agreement
• 18:00 - Beginning of speeches by the Centre's Executive Director,. Tim Manhir, the Vice President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice, Franco Frattini and the Minister of Justice, Alberto Costa.
• 18:15 - Press Conference
• Port wine cocktail party
  

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