A treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between Vietnam and Spain was signed in the latter’s capital city of Madrid on September 18.

The deal, inked by Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy Nguyen Hoa Binh and Spanish Minister of Justice Rafael Catala Polo, is intended to better mutual legal assistance activities relating to criminal issues between the two countries’ relevant agencies.

The Spanish minister said the treaty is an important legal framework and basis for the two sides to cooperate more effectively in preventing and fighting crimes, especially trans-national organised ones.

It also concretises both sides’ international commitments to combating crimes as well as their responsibility for enforcing law, protecting justice and ensuring legitimate rights and interests of their States, organisations and citizens, he noted.

For his part, Prosecutor General Binh said the treaty will help perfect the bilateral legal framework, thus creating optimum conditions for their agencies to settle foreigner-related criminal cases, especially trans-national crimes amidst the strong globalisation and international integration.

He described the deal as a testimony to the sound friendship between the two countries in all fields, adding that it also contributes to their strategic partnership towards the future, which was set up in 2009.

Vietnam and Spain will continue stepping up cooperation in law enforcement, particularly mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, and personnel capacity enhancement, the official added.

In 2014, the nations signed the treaties on extradition and transfer of sentenced persons.

Source: VNA