UK to assist Macedonia in fighting organised crime

UK to assist Macedonia in fighting organised crime

British experts will train Macedonian police and inspectors in the fight against organised crime.

The British National Crime Agency will assist Macedonian police in dealing with organised crime and terrorism threats. [NCA]

Experts from the British National Crime Agency will assist their Macedonian colleagues to deal with organised crime and to develop the capacity for operational analysis at a time when the world and the region are facing the threat of terrorism.

The collaboration will allow for a more efficient operation of police services by introducing a series of innovations in the field of direct action. Security reforms through this project will be implemented over a year, and will make it possible to upgrade the model for intelligence.

The partnership opens a new opportunity for the Macedonian police to implement another set of quality practices that will increase its operational functionality, said Mitko Chavkov, director of the Public Security Bureau of Macedonia.

"The intention of this part of the reform is to improve the effectiveness of the Public Security Bureau among different organisational units and enhance co-operation with other law enforcement agencies. It is a process of developing a strategic concept for tackling organised crime compatible with the standards of the European Union and European policy enforcement based on intelligence," Chavkov said.

Organised crime affects the economy, directly undermines national and regional stability and hinders the process of integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, said UK Ambassador to Macedonia Charles Garrett.

"Through this training and the support to our Macedonian partners to transfer...