Russia, France seek to sign deal on coop in Criminal

Russia’s Investigative Committee chairman Alexander Bastrykin and France’s Interior Minister Manuel Valls have stressed the need for signing an agreement on cooperation in criminal proceedings, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass on Friday. “The meeting helped to enhance professional cooperation in criminal proceedings, including that within the framework of the fight against most dangerous crimes, new challenges and threats,” Markin said after the working meeting between Bastrykin and Valls, Russian Itar-Tass news agency . The Investigative Committee has constructive relations with France’s relevant structures, including the National Institute of Higher Security and Justice Studies. “This cooperation helps to regularly exchange materials, experience and methods in prevention and investigation of crimes. Special attention is paid to new and promising forensic means and methods,” Markin said. Bastrykin and Valls “with pleasure pointed to the level of Russian-French cooperation in this sphere and stressed the need for its further development, including the signing of the relevant agreement on cooperation and joint activities,” the spokesman said.