Skopje, 5 November 2024 (MIA) - South-Eastern Europe, unfortunately, remains a focal point for illicit arms trafficking and migrant smuggling. The region is awash with weapons. And all of us in the room are aware of the infamous Balkan Routes, said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of Mission at the OSCE Mission to Skopje, speaking Tuesday at the High-Level Police and Customs Cooperation Conference, organized in Skopje from Nov. 5 to 7 by the OSCE Mission and the Interior Ministry. 

According to the Global Organized Crime Index 2023, he said, illegal arms trafficking in the region is higher than in Europe and small arms and light weapons trafficking must be curbed.

Worth over eight million euros, it is one of the biggest projects of the OSCE Mission to Skopje that aims at improving information sharing mechanism in real time and raising public awareness about the risks of arms trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Attending the conference, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski and Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska – Kochoska stressed the need for international cooperation. The fight against organized and transnational crime, according to Minister Toshkovski, requires making utmost efforts and resources primarily in police and customs cross-border cooperation, which he called it “a key factor in efficient address of these threats.” 

“International cooperation is one of the key instruments of the countries in the fight against threats related to security of the institutions and societies and is based on quality inter-institutional cooperation both at national and regional level,” Toshkovski said adding that joint contact points contribute to swift exchange of information between border and customs agencies. 

Curbing crime and illicit trade are a top priority of the government, stressed Minister Dimitrieska – Kochoska.

Cooperation between the Customs Administration and the Interior Ministry includes several fields of action with the ultimate goal being to allow free movement of goods and passengers across borders. 

“In addition to cooperation, better results in this field will be achieved with modernization of border crossings, use of modern technologies and digitization. A top priority in the government program 2024-2028 is rule of law and fight against corruption, crime and illicit trafficking,” said the Finance Minister. 

Photo: MIA