Hong Kong and Poland will have greater international co-operation to combat serious crimes with the signing of a bilateral agreement concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

According to a government press release Tuesday, the agreement is the 18th of its kind that Hong Kong has signed. It will allow for reciprocal assistance to be offered in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offense and in proceedings relating to criminal matters.

All the essential features and safeguards for international agreements of this type are included.

The assistance in the agreement mainly covers: taking testimony or statements, providing documents and items, identifying and locating persons or items, arranging the attendance of persons to give evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, tracing, restraining, forfeiting or confiscating proceeds or instruments of crime and other assistance permitted by law.

The agreement will come into force after Hong Kong and Poland have complied with their respective requirements.