Dear Ms Schouten,
Dear Mr Verbelen,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fact that the ports of Hamburg, Rotterdam and Antwerp are taking joint action against international drug trafficking is good news for people who want to live safely in our cities, in our countries and in Europe as a whole. Our actions and cooperation are bad news for organized crime, which is always looking for new ways to do its illegal, dirty business.
We must not allow drug cartels to threaten the safety and health of our citizens. This summit is a new platform to deepen our cooperation.
Hamburg, Rotterdam and Antwerp are supporting each other in securing the port infrastructure and linking our cities' police, customs and port authorities. Together, we have set up the Port Security Steering Committee to create a common source of information and knowledge about the workings of organized crime.
We are working together in adressing national governments and the European Commission and in the exchange of information with the security authorities in the countries where drugs are produced and transhipped, especially in Latin America.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am convinced that it is possible to push back the drug cartels if we work together at all levels and take decisive action.
But there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every port, every port city has its own characteristics that need to be considered.
The Port of Hamburg is strongly characterized by its geographical location: it has grown historically and is situated in the middle of the city. As a result, it has a large number of access points that are difficult to control.
We established the "Port of Hamburg Security Alliance" to improve cooperation between the Hamburg and federal security authorities, the Hamburg Port Authority, terminal operators and the shipping industry.
In June, we opened our new "Hamburg Port Security Centre", which is operated jointly by the police, customs and the Hamburg Port Authority. It is a point of contact and support for the port industry as well as for national and international authorities.
In September, more than 2 tons of cocaine were seized and 12 suspects arrested in the port of Hamburg by police and customs in cooperation with the public prosecutor's office.
This was a major blow to organized drug crime, demonstrating that law enforcement is more effective when information is shared, actions are planned quickly, and operations are carried out together. This can also be the message of the "Three Ports Summit" today.
I would like to thank the delegations from Rotterdam and Antwerp, the security experts in Hamburg and all those involved in the fight against organized crime.
Thank you for your work and dedication. I wish you an interesting and successful summit and a good time in Hamburg.
Thank you very much.
