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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Ukraine signed the agreement concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (the Agreement) today (April 2).

The Agreement was signed by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, on behalf of the HKSAR Government and the General Prosecutor of Ukraine, Mr S Piskun, on behalf of the Government of Ukraine.

The Agreement is the 14th of its kind that the HKSAR has signed on international co-operation against crime. It contains all the essential features and safeguards for international agreements of this type. The major kinds of assistance covered by the Agreement are:

* identifying and locating persons;

* serving of documents;

* furnishing of information and documents;

* obtaining evidence;

* executing requests for search and seizure;

* locating, restraining, and confiscating of criminal proceeds;

* effecting of temporary transfer of persons in custody to provide assistance; and

* transfer of property.

The Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance provides the necessary legislative backing for an Order to be made to implement the Agreement. It shall enter into force 30 days after the date on which the Parties have notified each other in writing that their respective requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement have been complied with.

End/Wednesday, April 2, 2003

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