Ohrid, Macedonia, 15 – 17 December 2014 – MARRI Regional Centre, RACVIAC and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia organized the workshop “Regional Cooperation for Better Response to the THB in SEE” in the period 15-17 December 2014 in Ohrid, Macedonia.
National representatives from MARRI & RACVIAC Member states Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey were present, as well as a representative from Kosovo*. Also, active part in the workshop took international organizations ICMPD, IOM and OSCE, along with diplomatic representatives from US Embassy in Skopje and police attachés/ liaison officers from Switzerland, Austria and Turkey.
The introductory addresses in the opening session were made by Ambassador Branimir Mandic, director of RACVIAC, Dr. Trpe Stojanovski, director of MARRI RC, Ms. Anastasia Ilieska, State Secretary of MOI Macedonia and Ms. Ruth Pojman, Deputy Coordinator of the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Vienna.
The national presentations were excellent opportunity for analyzing the current situation in the area of combating trafficking in human beings in the region presented by the National coordinators from the member states. Participants were introduced to a very interesting case study presented by Ms. Sena Uzunovic, Prosecutor from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the second working day, current MARRI and ICMPD projects were presented along with the possibilities for future cooperation. After vivid “tour the table” discussion with proposals and ideas for future activities, regional approach was stressed as a necessary common response to trafficking in human beings.
The workshop was organized in continuation of activities of MARRI Network for Cooperation of National Coordinators in THB and, at the same time, established further MARRI and RACVIAC cooperation providing synergy of the national institutions and other stakeholders in common strategy related to suppression of human trafficking.
THB Workshop in organization of MARRI and RACVIAC took place in Ohrid