The Republic of Mauritius and France resumed talks, today, at the Mauritius International Arbitration Centre in Port Louis, on the finalisation of an Extradition Treaty and a Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty. The Attorney General, Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin; the Ambassador of France to the Republic of Mauritius, Mrs Florence Caussé-Tissier; and other personalities were present at the opening session of the three-day negotiations.
The French delegation comprised Mrs Florence Caussé-Tissier; the Head of the European and International Negotiations in Criminal Matters Office, Mr Thomas Grégoire; and the Consul from the French Embassy in Mauritius, Mrs Elsa Sabourin. The Chargée de Mission from the Convention, Civil Affairs, and Mutual Legal Assistance Office of the French Ministry for Europe and for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Milca Michel-Gabriel, is participating in the discussions via videoconferencing.
In a statement, the Attorney General affirmed that it was time to conclude negotiations on the Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaties between France and Mauritius, since discussions dated back to 2012. He explained that the delays in concluding the agreements stemmed from the two countries’ different legal systems, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Gobin was optimistic that texts between the two Parties could be finalised over the three-day discussions and presented to Cabinet for approval as soon as possible.
Underlining the importance of international treaties and collaboration in fighting cross-border crimes, the Attorney General put forward the necessity for Mauritius to enter into direct agreement with the French Republic on the establishment of a strong legal framework on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition. Mr Gobin added that agreements with France would enable more effective cooperation and better exchange of information with neighbouring Reunion Island on several ongoing enquiries.
For her part, the Ambassador of France to the Republic of Mauritius said that both countries are committed to further the partnership, though there exist intergovernmental agreements between the two Republics that allow for the transfer of sentenced prisoners. Mrs Caussé-Tissier expressed the ambition that Mauritius and France conclude the two treaties soon, and would enable them to reach a highest level of cooperation.
