Coordinated response to transnational threats focus of OSCE-supported regional conference

SKOPJE, 1 April 2019 – A co-ordinated response to existing and emerging transnational threats is the focus of an OSCE-supported regional conference taking place today and tomorrow in Skopje. The event was opened by Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Ambassador Clemens Koja, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

During the conference, representatives of border and customs agencies of North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania will share best international practices pertinent to Integrated Border Management (IBM). Participants from Kosovo are also taking part in the event. The two-day event will promote enhanced co-operation through better real-time data exchange between law enforcement agencies in the region.

“This conference is one of a series of practical discussions we have organized focusing on border security and management in the region. These activities are aimed to develop common goals and best practices to counter the threats of transnational organized crime and terrorism,” said Koja.

He added that the OSCE is committed to achieving a balance between the need to maintain security in the face of cross-border threats on the one hand and freedom of movement for persons, goods, services and commerce on the other.

Prime Minister Zaev said: “Illegal cross-border activities require an adequate response. In today’s globalized world, in order to make free movement of people and goods maximally efficient, we must double our efforts to fight organized crime, including corruption and illegal migration, weapons proliferation, drug smuggling and human trafficking.”