The United Arab Emirates is preparing to sign extradition treaties with eight countries, a top official in the Ministry of Interior has disclosed.

According to Brigadier Abdul Rahman Al Shalwah, General Director of Directorate General for Criminal Security at the ministry, talks are on with eight countries to sign these treaties.

Brigadier Al Shalwah disclosed this on the sideline of a press conference, organised for the visiting Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble in the capital on Saturday night.

He said drafts of the treaties between the UAE and some countries have already been prepared.

"We have already signed extradition treaties with India, China and Armenia in addition to nine Arab countries. We have already prepared documents to sign an extradition treaty with Sri Lanka, which will soon be finalised."

The official said the UAE has always been keen and in the forefront to fight international crimes, and these treaties are key instruments in achieving this.

The new treaties are being discussed and signed with Pakistan, Russia, France, Germany, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Yemen.

Referring to such treaties with the Arab countries, he said extradition pacts, in addition to GCC Judicial Treaty, have already been in place between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Tunis, Algiers, Morocco, Syria, Somalia, Jordan and Egypt.

According to statistics provided by the ministry, the UAE has been in the forefront in exchange of suspected criminals with countries it has signed treaties.

Statistics show the UAE has extradited 253 suspected criminals from 1997 till last year. During the same period, 96 suspected criminals were extradited to UAE from partner countries.

A majority of the exchanges were between the UAE and the Arab countries. The UAE extradited six suspected criminals to the non-Arab countries from 1997 till last month, including the fresh deportation of an alleged underworld don wanted by India.

The non-Arab treaty partners from 1997 till last year deported eight suspected criminals wanted in the UAE, including Roshan Aseed Ansari extradited by India last month. She was wanted for her alleged involvement in a murder case in the UAE.

Referring to the exchange of criminal case documents between the UAE and its partners, statistics show the UAE sent 235 files and received 145 during the period from 1997 till last year.

Brigadier Al Shalwah said the statistics have been prepared by the ministry to reflect its cooperation with the international community in fighting organised crime.

The visit of Noble to the UAE for the first time in the region, also reflects the country's strong cooperation with the international police organisation.

He said the visiting Interpol official has been briefed about the UAE's efforts and initiatives to fight crimes during his visits to various sections of the Criminal Security facilities in the capital.

Noble expressed his satisfaction with the facilities and efforts of the country to fight terrorism and organised crime.

The Interpol official said his visit to the region is aimed at further strengthening cooperation between member countries and help them introduce modern interactive technologies.