Police integrity and accountability focus of OSCE-supported regional conference in Skopje

SKOPJE, 6 November 2013 – Enhancing implementation of accountable and transparent internal oversight mechanisms within the police is the aim of an OSCE-supported regional conference that started in Skopje today.

The meeting will bring together some fifty police representatives from the host country, as well as Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia, and representatives from the international community. They will discuss the progress of their respective countries in fighting corruption in the law-enforcement structures through the implementation of internal oversight mechanisms.

The two-day conference is initiated by the Interior Ministry and supported by the OSCE Mission to Skopje, as well as the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).

“Corruption is a major concern for every society. It cannot be tackled overnight, but requires long-term commitment and efforts,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Ralf Breth. “I strongly believe that initiatives like this one will help further strengthen professional behaviour and standards within the police, make internal oversight procedures truly democratic, accountable and transparent; and facilitate further development of cross-border co-operation in this field.”

Aneta Stancevska, Assistant Minister for Internal Control and Professional Standards, added: “Police is one of the key state instruments for safeguarding the rule of law. Trust in the police exists only when the law enforcement officers exercise their duties professionally, lawfully and with integrity.”