Skopje – As part of the preparation process of the new joint programme “Strengthening regional dialogue, coordination and cooperation on migration in the Western Balkans”, financed by Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, MARRI Regional Centre with the support of GIZ Office in Skopje, organized a one-day workshop dedicated to mapping of all relevant actors and stakeholders in MARRI Participants that are involved in the migration management. The event took place at the

Skopje – MARRI RC Director, Mr. Sashko Kocev, met with the Ambassador of Switzerland, Ms. Sybille Suter Tejada and the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Stephane Tomagian. Kocev used the visit to thank for the continuous support that the Swiss Government is giving to MARRI throughout the years and expressed readiness for future endeavors with aim to strengthen the regional cooperation. The interlocutors discussed on the current project funded by Swiss Government, BORDAIRPOL II and future steps to be taken

Skopje – MARRI RC held an Information and Discussion working meeting with the aim to provide an overview of the regional interventions where MARRI participates as a partner of the IPA II project ‘Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management in the Western Balkans’. The meeting was organized and led by the two experts seconded by IOM to MARRI RC through the project. Under the auspices of the aforementioned EU project, IOM is supporting MARRI in establishing a regionally compatible mechanism

Prishtina – MARRI RC Director Sasko Kocev and MARRI Representative of Kosovo* Mr. Bilall Bilalli paid visit to Kosovo* where they concluded several meetings with representatives of the Ministries of Internal and Foreign Affairs of Kosovo* to discuss the migration issues and trends in Western Balkans with particular focus on Kosovo*. During their visit, MARRI delegation met with the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Izmi Zeka, the General Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Fitim Sadiku; the Director

Gevgelija – MARRI delegation led by MARRI RC Director Sashko Kocev paid a visit to the Transit Center “Vinojug” on the Macedonian – Greek border. The representatives of the Regional Center for Border Affairs “Jug” under the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia hosted the delegation and informed that the number of prevented attempts for illegal crossing at the Macedonian-Greek border towards Macedonia, has increased during the summer reaching approximately 500 attempts per week. In this regard, the

Tirana – MARRI Regional Ministerial Forum crowned the Albanian Presidency-in-Office (June 2017 – 2018). Over 50 participants took part at the event. Apart MARRI Participants’ delegations, the representatives of international organizations, partners and donors also attended the meeting. The Deputy Interior Minister of Albania and MARRI National Coordinator Rovena Voda in capacity of MARRI Forum member, presented the yearlong activities and achievements that marked the Albanian Presidency among which, the adoption of the MARRI Strategy 2018-2020, European Commission positive assessment on

Approaching the MARRI Regional Forum to be held on 12 June 2018 in Tirana, MARRI Regional Centre can proudly announce the results achieved during the Albanian Presidency-in-Office June 2017-June 2018 in figures: MARRI organized: 1 Regional conference with 31 participants 8 Regional workshops with 172 participants 3 Regional trainings with 81 participants 4 Regional meetings with 103 participants In total organized 16 EVENTS with 387 PARTICIPANTS   2 Technical assistance missions provided – support to MARRI reform 1 Briefing Paper

Belgrade – The training “Regional capacities and needs for interpretation services for border police” was organized for representatives of the Ministries of Interior/Security of MARRI Participants to explore the needs of first line border police officers for interpretation services and possible MARRI support in addressing related challenges at regional level. Further development of a need-based interpretation platform for the border police in the processes of identification of irregular migrants was a key topic of discussion. The event was also attended

Ohrid – The Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) Annual General Assembly was held within the Presidency of the Republic of Macedonia with this Association. MARRI delegation took part, upon invitation of SEPCA Presidency (Tamara Mugosa, RCD, Selma Mehovic, BORDAIRPOL II Project Manager and Montenegro MPR and Atanas Minov, Macedonia MPR). The first day of the event was discussed about strengthening the operational cooperation among SEPCA member states, the cooperation of the Association with Europol, as well as the cooperation

Skopje – In line with the activity plan of the EU-funded IPA II Project “Regional Support to Protection-Sensitive Migration Management in the Western Balkans and Turkey” and the Annual Program of Activities of the Albanian Presidency in Office, MARRI Regional Centre organized a Heads of Asylum Departments meeting.  The meeting, that took place in the premises of the Regional Centre, gathered Heads/Senior advisors in MARRI Participants’ Asylum Departments as well as caseworkers experienced in conducting asylum interviews. MARRI Committee Chair