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February 8, 2006

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Press Release

Minister of Justice and the U.S. Ambassador to Estonia signed two treaties in criminal matters

On the 8th of February, Estonian Minister of Justice Rein Lang and the U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Aldona Z. Wos signed two agreements between the two governments - the Extradition Treaty and the Instrument to the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

The new Extradition Treaty will replace a similar treaty from 1923. The Instrument to the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters is an update to an agreement signed in 1998. The purpose of the new documents is to update procedures and cooperation concerning legal assistance in criminal matters, as well make them compatible with U.S.-EU treaties.

"Signing these treaties legal agreements which take into account all of today’s needs and circumstances is an important step in developing the relations concerning legal cooperation in criminal matters between Estonia and the U.S.," commented Minister of Justice Rein Lang. "The new Extradition Treaty is refreshing the agreement from 1923 and will be making the process faster and more flexible. The changes made to the Instrument to the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters are important as these will enable to send the applications of legal assistance through modern channels, hold interrogations in the form of video conference, receive mutual legal assistance also about bank transfers, as well to form joint investigation groups."

“The signing of these two agreements is yet another testament to the wonderful state of U.S.-Estonian relations and our two nations’ desire to help each other effectively combat criminal activity,” stated Ambassador Wos. “Both Estonia and the U.S. should take pride in the documents to be signed, as they bolster our nations cooperation in the fight against crime.”