JAMAICA yesterday received vital advice from one of the leading personalities in the fight against the Italian Mafia, which came amidst reports that the two countries are working together to fight crime here.

The collaboration between Jamaica and Italy is aimed essentially at crippling gangs and their activities which police say account for a majority of the more than 1,500 murders committed here each year.

Speaking at yesterday’s final day of a two-day seminar in Kingston titled “Fight against Organised Crime In Jamaica”, deputy commissioner in charge of crime, Owen Ellington and Italy’s deputy national anti-mafia prosecutor, Fausto Zuccarelli expressed optimism that the collaboration between Jamaica and Italy, as well as co-operation from other member states of the European Commission (EC), would result in a reduction of crime, widely regarded as Jamaica’s number one problem.

The seminar was organised by the Jamaican Government and the European Commission.

Ellington said that his Jamaican colleagues were listening keenly to the scenarios being faced by the EC countries, particularly Italy, noting “striking similarities” with Jamaica.

“We are committed to sharing information and experiences and a deep rethinking of the strategies being implemented in Jamaica and look forward to continued support from international bodies such as the European Union,” Ellington said.

Zuccarelli, the main presenter, spoke on several issues including Italy’s initiatives to remove proceeds of crime, human trafficking and the challenges facing those who were involved at the root.

Citing three important factors that would ensure a successful programme geared at attacking criminality, Zuccarelli said that if the points were followed, success would be inevitable.

“The first one is to put in place an effective legislative framework; the second one is to include co-operation between the main actors in the judicial system, which is law enforcement agency, the judiciary and the prison system. The third one is the respect for human rights,” Zuccarelli said. Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Jamaica Marco Mazzochi-Alemanni added that it would be interesting to confront the Jamaican experience with the Italian experience because of the similarities.

Mazzochi-Alemanni used the occasion to underline the EC’s contribution of $6 billion to assist with the implementation of the JCF’s strategic review and justice modernisation programme, among other key areas.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Major Richard Reese expressed appreciation to the European Commission for its support of the modernisation initiatives of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Major Reese said that the deliberations from the seminar had been fruitful, and the national security ministry would continue the initiatives geared towards intervention against organised crime.