MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ORDER
HELLENIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS
PRESS OFFICE

In the presence of the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Vyron Polydoras and following a formal invitation addressed to Mr. Franco Frattini, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for the field of Justice, Freedom and Security, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow (7 & 8/12/2006) the Plan “ILAEIRA” so as to successfully deal with human trafficking, will be officially presented.

The event will be held in «DIVANI APOLLON» Hotel (Kavouri) in the presence of the Minister of Home Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization, Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Valinakis, the Minister of National Education and Religions, Ms. Marietta Yannakou and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Anastassios Papaligouras.

Moreover, the Police Chiefs from 21 countries and from International Organizations (EUROPOL, INTERPOL, FRONTEX and EUROJUST) will be present, whereas the Heads of SECI and PAMECA will take part under the status of observers together with representatives from the US and the British Embassy.

The Minister of Public Order, Mr. Vyron Polydoras will make the opening remarks, whereas speeches will also be given by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Franco Frattini, the Ministers present at the event and the Chief of the Hellenic Police Force, Police Lieutenant General Anastassios Dimoshakis.

It should be pointed out that the Plan “ILAEIRA” was proposed for the first time by the Minister of Public Order, at the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council of Ministers, held in Luxembourg on 27 & 28/4/2006, as well as at the meeting of the Council on & 2/6/2006, and it was widely accepted.

This is a National, Cross-Border, Operational, Interorganisational Action Plan, drawn up by the Hellenic Police Force Headquarters, which is a part of a comprehensive planning taking place for the first time at a Pan-European level, aiming at coordinating all the parties involved, so as to bring about a coherent approach to the European Union domestic security, through concrete actions in the countries of South East Europe.

The objective of the Plan “ILAEIRA” is to develop a simultaneous action in all Countries, not only as far as law enforcement authorities are concerned but also, in terms of support to the victims, in order to achieve best results in the fight against human trafficking. Greece wishes to and can be a pioneer in this battle against human trafficking, particularly in the region of South East Europe.

lead this initiative to fight human trafficking, particularly in the region of South East Europe, and can indeed be a pioneer in this battle.