Skopje, 23 January 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski met Wednesday with Austrian Ambassador Martin Pammer. Talks focused on reforming the crisis management system, combating people smuggling and illegal migration, countering terrorism and cybercrime, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release. 

"Interlocutors reaffirmed excellent cooperation between the two friendly countries, including the cooperation between the interior ministries, as well as the joint commitment towards achieving regional and global security," reads the press release. 

Participants in the meeting also tackled reforming the crisis management system. Ambassador Pammer presented the ongoing project for cooperation of firefighting services between the Tyrol region in Austria and several Macedonian municipalities, of which the main project bearers are the municipalities of Kriva Palanka and Kumanovo.

"The project aims to reform the overall crisis management system by delimiting the competencies of the Crisis Management Center (CMC) and the Protection and Rescue Directorate, as well as improving the response of firefighting services at the state level, especially when dealing with wildfires," the press release adds.

According to a written statement of the Minister, the meeting looked into joint steps in combatting people smuggling and illegal migration, and countering terrorism and cybercrime as some of the priority areas.

"Among other development projects, talks also tackled a project on the development of mountain tourism in Macedonia, supported and promoted by the Embassy of the Republic of Austria. Activities undertaken as part of this project were discussed, aimed at the development of Austrian-Macedonian friendship, as well as the promotion of Macedonian mountains and tourism," said Toshkovski. 

Photo: Ministry of Interior