29/11/2024
The Network, promoted by the EUROFRONT programme, aims to combat counterfeit documents through international cooperation.
The Athens Network, promoted by the European EUROFRONT programme, is the first network in the region dedicated exclusively to the fight against this crime, bringing together the talent and experience of Latin American and European authorities. This network will facilitate the detection of cross-border crimes such as smuggling of goods and human trafficking, among others.
The inauguration event was attended by Martha Hernández, Director of Migration Colombia; Andrea Luque, 3rd Secretary for International Cooperation of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; José Antonio Cambronero, Director of Component 1 of the EUROFRONT programme; and was also supported by the European Union thanks to the presence of Sonia Tato, Deputy Head of Cooperation.
During this week, European experts have collaborated with agents and border specialists from Migration Colombia in the formation of the Athens Point, providing training and technical assistance to the technical teams that will integrate it. Subsequently, members of these teams will complete their training in Spain, where they will learn first-hand about the work of the Athens Point in Madrid.
In this context, Director José Antonio Cambronero indicated that ‘this network for the exchange of information on false or falsified passports and travel and identity documents between Latin America and the European Union is crucial to fight more effectively against cross-border crime and to ensure secure migration control’.
For her part, Dr. Martha Hernández stressed that ‘there is an increasing need to cooperate, as organised crime is a complex phenomenon that needs to be managed in an articulated manner, especially in cross-border flows’.
On behalf of the European Union, Sonia Tato said that ‘The launch of the Athens Colombia Point is a milestone of cooperation in the broad framework of Integrated Border Management in which both regions work for the protection of national security, more secure borders for nationals and foreigners and a regulated flow of goods according to the regulations of each country’.
The Athens Point in Colombia will be housed in the office of Migration Colombia and will be connected to other National Points of EUROFRONT partner countries and to the Athens Point Spain. In this office, experts in the detection of false documents will be in charge of answering queries made by other agents, in case of possible doubts about the veracity of the documents that travellers present to enter the country. It will be open 24 hours a day, offering answers to queries about the veracity of the documents travellers present to enter the country.
