The 26th meeting of the Task Force on Countering Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration was held on 26 of September 2019 in Ohrid/ Republic of North Macedonia, with the participation of law enforcement experts in the field from SELEC Member States and representatives of the partners. The meeting was jointly organized with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republic of North Macedonia and OSCE Mission in Skopje.
Opening remarks were addressed by Ms. Snejana Maleeva, Director General of SELEC, Ms. Magdalena Nestorovska, State Secretary within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republic of North Macedonia and Ambassador Clemens Koja, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mrs. Magdalena Nestorovska, in her address to the audience, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior and the National Commission for Fight against Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, emphasized that trafficking in human beings people and illegal migration, besides being among the thorniest issue related to the human fate, undermine the rule of law and encourage other transnational criminal activities, including eliminating public and state security.
The Director General of SELEC stated on this occasion that “Regional cooperation is important in addressing the security challenges in the region that can be best tackled through common approach, enhanced cooperation and strengthened partnership. That’s why having a synergy among countries and organizations is a sine qua non condition for an effective fight against organized and serious crime, including trafficking in human beings and illegal migration, that still remain a concern in the region, having in mind the substantial proceeds of crime obtained, the extent of human trafficking and the facilitation of illegal migration in Southeast Europe.”
During the meeting, the key findings of the latests SELEC Report on Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeast Europe and the Report on Smuggling of Migrants in Southeast Europe were presented.
The aim of the meeting was the evaluation of the regional situation on trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants for the year 2018, discussions on trafficking in persons’ related issues and planning future related operational activities.
The Task Force on Countering Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration was established in May 2000, being coordinated by Romania.
