Russian prosecutors, Finnish Justice Ministry sign cooperation program
MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika and Finnish Justice Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson signed a program of cooperation between their agencies for 2012-2013 in Moscow on Wednesday, agreeing to promptly tackle any judicial problems, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office said in a report.
"Its [program] implementation will allow us to improve the efficiency of our contacts in this sphere, promptly tackle emerging issues and find mutually acceptable solutions to them," Chaika said.
The Russian Prosecutor General's Office "has been cooperating productively with Finland's appropriate agencies, primarily in extradition issues and legal assistance in criminal cases," he said.
"Promoting these bilateral relations further will help both improve the efficiency of joint work and bolster cooperation between the agencies in defending citizens' rights and combating crime," Chaika said.
"The document allows the sides to hold joint workshops on judicial issues, share experience and offer legal assistance in criminal cases: the handling of requests to confiscate and return assets, the use of video conferences and the impact of simplified visa rules on international legal assistance in criminal cases," the Prosecutor General's Office said.
They will also exchange departmental and scientific publications, guidance papers issued by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office and the Finnish Justice Ministry, as well as case files.