The Polish Parliament (Sejm) has passed a law ratifying a new agreement between Poland and Ukraine on cooperation in preventing and combating crime. The parliamentary decision formally and definitively abandons outdated regulations from 1999. This regulatory change implements modern legal tools that are intended to provide an adequate response to current geopolitical threats, including the activities of organized crime groups, terrorism, and international sabotage.
The end of outdated procedures from the last century
Contemporary challenges in the area of internal and cross-border security require continuous updating of legal instruments. Previous cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian law enforcement agencies was based on an agreement concluded before the era of widespread digitalization and long before the outbreak of a full-scale conflict beyond our eastern border.
According to official data from the meeting Sejm of the Republic of Poland, a vast majority of 242 MPs voted in favor of the new law. This decision paves the way for the implementation of modernized mechanisms that will enable direct, bureaucracy-free exchange of key operational data between the services of both countries.
“Secretly Controlled Delivery” and the Exchange of Liaison Officers
The new document, which was the result of lengthy negotiations between the interior ministries of both countries, introduces operational solutions not found in previous regulations. In accordance with the assumptions published in official draft of the bill on the government website of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, one of the most important new instruments will be the so-called “controlled delivery”.
This tool will allow Polish and Ukrainian services (including the Police, Border Guard, and special services) to strictly control the passage of illegal goods across the border—such as weapons, drugs, and explosives—in order to track supply chains and ultimately uncover entire smuggling networks. Furthermore, the new law significantly formalizes and facilitates the reciprocal deployment of liaison officers, ensuring immediate response in crisis situations.
A united front against sabotage and hybrid threats
In addition to standard criminal offenses, the new agreement places a significant emphasis on crimes targeting state security. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that the critical infrastructure of neighboring countries is constantly vulnerable to physical and cyberattacks. This strengthened cooperation is intended to facilitate the faster identification of individuals suspected of espionage, acts of sabotage, or the spread of disinformation. The document also regulates procedures for the efficient tracking and confiscation of assets derived from criminal activity.
When will the new regulations come into force?
The ratification of the new agreement by the Polish Sejm is a clear signal that institutional cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv is constantly developing. The new ratification act will enter into force 14 days after its official announcement in Journal of Laws. From that moment on, the services of both countries will have a full legal framework for the operational use of new tools in the fight against organized crime.
What do you think about this story?
Join the conversation. Please keep comments relevant to the article.
Write a comment