Dominica hosts French Authorities for Talks on Security and Judicial Cooperation
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reported successful discussions were held with French authorities last week on matters of security and immigration.
The 5th Session of the French Dominican Joint Security Commission was held in Dominica on May 2, at the State House Conference Center.
Prime Minister Skerrit told a press conference on Wednesday the meeting addressed matters of training, the conduct of joint actions, immigration, the exchange of information, and judicial cooperation.
“The French have committed to assisting us with the training of police officers to aid our crime fighting locally, and also to protect our common borders against the threat of irregular migration.
“We acknowledge that the irregular movement of people across our border to and from the French territories is a matter of concern, which requires the close collaboration of law enforcement in the two countries,” Mr. Skerrit said.
The 5th Session of the French Dominican Joint Security Commission was held in Dominica on May 2nd 2023, at the State House Conference Center.
He said both sides committed to cooperation on critical matters of national security and to strengthen existing mutual legal agreements.
“We will also pursue judicial cooperation to include the establishment of joint French-Dominican patrols and the development of a system for the more efficient exchange of information,” Mr. Skerrit added.
Attorney General, Hon. Levi Peter, Minister for National Security and Legal Affairs Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore, Commissioner of Police Daniel Carbon and other senior officials of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force and Customs attended the meeting.
The French delegation included Hon. Xavier Lefort, Prefect of Guadeloupe; H.E Francis Etienne, Ambassador of France to the Commonwealth of Dominica; General Vincent Lamballe, Commander of the French Gendarmerie in Guadeloupe; General William Vaquette, Commander of the French Gendarmerie in Martinique; and Mr. Eric Maurel, Attorney General of Guadeloupe, among other officials.
