Brussels, 17/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - The international criminal police organisation (Interpol) and the European police office (Europol) announced on Wednesday 16 December that they would be joining forces to combat piracy off north-east Africa, where there is a surge in acts of piracy against ships navigating there. This announcement was made during the visit by Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble to the headquarters of Europol in The Hague. Interpol and Europol have signed an agreement to establish a “global police response” to the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden between Somalia and Yemen, a press release states. In this context, Interpol will take part in a new analysis project on piracy at Europol, which will encourage its member states to use Interpol as a central database for the collection of information on pirates. Both organisations will also take part in joint programmes and set up an exchange programme for experts. (B.C./transl.jl)