29. 12. 2023 | PR
Kliknite tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
Consultations and workshops for Macedonian investigative and prosecution authorities that were implemented in the week between the 18th and 21st of December 2023 in North Macedonia mark the final activities within the scope of the project” Support in Chapter 24 – Financial investigations” for the year 2023.
The implemented activities enabled further possibilities for the exchange of best practices, mutual training and capacity building that contribute to the development of procedures towards the fight against organised crime and corruption, with special attention for financial investigations.
The consultations, which took place at the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje and were attended by representatives of the Customs Administration, the Ministry of the Interior, the Office for Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing Terrorism and the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje, addressed the dilemmas that Macedonian investigators and prosecutors face in real-life cases of ongoing financial investigations. Consultations were provided by a prosecutor from the Specialised State Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Slovenia, an expert in business, tax and public sector crime from the Criminal Police Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia and a Slovenian expert in the valuation and calculation of assets of illicit origin. The consultations were intensive and provided an opportunity for an in-depth joint review of the data and to explore the possibilities for the successful implementation and conclusion of specific financial investigations aiming to confiscate assets of illicit origin and proceeds of crime.
The consultations were followed by a workshop in Dojran, attended by representatives of the Macedonian Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Financial Police, the Customs Administration and the Ministry of the Interior, who have already been involved and trained in the project’s previous activities, and who have been involved in the drafting of the Standard operating procedures for Financial Investigations (SOP), to be adopted by the institutions in the second half of 2022. This time, they discussed with their Slovenian colleagues how they can contribute to the development and improvement of the financial investigation system in North Macedonia through their knowledge and experience, transferring it to their colleagues in their institutions, the use of SOP for financial investigations, continuous improvement, inter-institutional cooperation, and teamwork.
The consultations were also attended by Ljubomir Joveski, who just a few days later – on 25 December 2023 – completed his term of mandate as the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia and who has already participated in the “Support in Chapter 24 – Financial Investigations” project in previous phases, including as a signatory to the Joint Guidelines for the Conduct of Financial Investigations signed by the Macedonian institutions on 7 June 2019 in Ljubljana. At the end of his mandate, he thanked the Republic of Slovenia for its development assistance and assessed the project as very important for the Macedonian prosecutor’s office and the institutions responsible for financial investigations. He said that he expects many positive effects from the project, as since its presence there are already signs of a shift towards faster and more efficient work.
The consultations and workshops in December successfully concluded all planned activities of the two-year program cycle of the “Support in Chapter 24 – Financial Investigations” project for 2023. Further activities are scheduled for 2024.
Further information:
Milanka Ilić
Project Manager
Centre for European Perspective
Activities are funded by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Republic of Slovenia through its International Development Cooperation Programme and implemented in cooperation with the State Prosecution, Ministry of the Interior, and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
21. 5. 2021 | EUPCST, POTC, PR
Following a successful pilot training organised in 2020, the Centre for European Perspective is organising an online training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations.
The Peace Operations Training Centre, operating within CEP with the support of the European Union Police and Civilian Services Training, has successfully concluded the Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations Training that took place from the 18 to the 20 of May 2021.
Members of Police forces from 12 European countries addressed the international legal framework on gender equality with a special focus on EU legislation, the issue of gender in relation to human dignity in international operations, impact of conflict on gender-related issues and gained insight into concrete situations and issues in experience sharing sessions with experts from the field.
The training on gender equality was in high demand and 29 participants altogether successfully completed the course. They gained different insights, but all agreed that the training was a success:
“This was my first online training. Easy and nice! From the learning perspective it is as effective as sitting in the old fashion class-room.”
“The discussions made me realize some actions that I and others do. I reflected on how it impacts on others and how this has a rippling effect. It was good to hear it from the perspective of women. I am now in a process of looking at some of my behaviors.”
“Thanks a lot to have the possibility to take part in this training. I will start my next mission in a couple of weeks, and I feel very well prepared in gender related topics.”
“As a trainer I always have opportunity to listen to similar content, but nevertheless this was a really good course with new information which I will use at my work.”
12. 5. 2021 | EUPCST, POTC, PR
Following a successful pilot training organised in 2020, the Centre for European Perspective is organising an online training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations. The training will take place in the period from the 18th to the 20th of May 2021.
The online lectures, workshops and participatory activities will cover the basic topics regarding gender equality and mainstreaming. Participants will gain skills and knowledge that will help them engage all stakeholders regarding gender equality and include the perspectives of women in their efforts to build sustainable peace.
The Online Training will be carried out by the Peace Operations Training Centre operating within CEP with the support of the European Union Police and Civilian Services Training.
26. 4. 2021 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) organized a Pre-deployment Training for Civilian Personnel Joining the EUAM Ukraine and EUMM Georgia from 20 – 23 April 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the training was delivered in a virtual form.
Pre-deployment trainings aim to increase the functioning ability of the mission staff by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become operational and capable to adapt to the new working environment. This pre-deployment training was designed specifically for civilians that are about to be deployed either to the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM) or the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM).
The training provided an overview of the local environment and historical context of both countries, thoroughly presented both missions, prepared the trainees for an interview, explained the basics of orientation, and equipped the participants with gender lenses together with skills for successful trainers, mentoring, monitoring and advising. Many thanks to all the trainers.
Although virtual trainings bring different challenges we are certain that our participants will be prepared to embark on assigned responsibilities with confidence and adapt to complex mission life. All the best of luck to all of them!
19. 4. 2021 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organizing a Pre-deployment Training for Civilian Personnel Joining the EUAM Ukraine and EUMM Georgia. The training will, due to COVID-19 restrictions, take place virtually from 20 – 23 April 2021.
The pre-deployment training course is one of the primary tools used to generate competent, institutionally knowledgeable, and ethically aware civilian personnel capable of serving in dangerous and complex environments. This training will be mission-specific, focusing on the European Union Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM) and the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), designed for police and civilians that will be potentially deployed to one of the above-mentioned missions. The training is intended to provide a shared understanding of the environment and both missions, including cross-cutting themes and priorities such as gender mainstreaming and the development of basic skills, such as map reading, monitoring – mentoring – advising and skills of a good trainer.
After successfully completing the training, the new civilian staff members will be prepared to undertake assigned responsibilities with confidence and adapt to complex mission life.
