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SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE Regional Center for Combating Transborder Crime. SECI Center: A Regional Tool in Combating Transborder Organized Crime and Terrorism UNECE – OSCE workshop on “The Economic Dimension of Security in Europe: Facing New Challenges in a Changing Environment”.
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SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE INITIATIVERegional Center for Combating Transborder Crime SECI Center: A Regional Tool in Combating Transborder Organized Crime and Terrorism UNECE – OSCE workshop on “The Economic Dimension of Security in Europe: Facing New Challenges in a Changing Environment”
SECI Center - established in 1999 by 11 SEE countries (SECI Agreement) • Operational since November 2000, • Provide an opportunity for communication, coordination and cooperation • SECI Center includes Liaison Officers from both police and customsadministrations • Assist in the harmonization of the Member countries’ law enforcement legislation with EU standards
12 Member countries Albania Bosnia Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Greece Hungary Moldova FYRO Macedonia Romania Serbia Montenegro Slovenia Turkey
Observers to SECI Center Countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America International Institutions: International Organization for Migration (IOM), European Institute for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EULEC), International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).
International Partnerships Memoranda of Understanding signed with: • International Organization for Migration (IOM) • European Institute for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EULEC) • International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) • Stability Pact – SPOC Secretariat (in 2003) Agreement on Communication connectivity for exchange of information with INTERPOL Agreement on Cooperation withSouth Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) (in 2003)
Operational Activity • Conducted in accordance with: • Regulations of the Center; • Strategic Plan; and • Annual Action Plan • In 2002 – 7 regional operations • In 2003 – 6 regional operations • Coordinated investigations
National Focal Points NFP Albania NFP Serbia& Montenegro NFP Turkey NFP Slovenia NFP Bosnia& Herzegovina SECI Regional Center NFP Bulgaria NFP Romania NFP Croatia NFP FYR Macedonia NFP Greece NFP Hungary NFP Moldova
Task Forces • TF on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration • TF on Combating Trafficking in Drugs • TF on Combating Financial and Computer Crime • Anti-Fraud & Anti-Smuggling TF • TF on Stolen Vehicles • Anti-Terrorism TF
Task Forceon Combating THB and Illegal Migration • Coordinated by Romania • Active cooperation with: • US Agencies: FBI, INS • IOM, Stability Pact TFHB, ICMPD, OSCE, INTERPOL, EUROPOL • In 2002, Operation MIRAGE 2002 • In September 2003, Operation MIRAGE 2003
Task Forceon Combating Trafficking in Drugs • Coordinator – Bulgaria • Close cooperation with DEA • In 2002, OperationCONTAINMENT I • Follow-up in 2003, Operation CONTAINMENT II • Significant seizures made during both operations
Anti-Fraud & Anti-Smuggling Task Force • Co-coordinated by Croatia and Albania • Valuation fraud – most common customs offence • Establish solid and reliable channels for intelligence exchange regarding import and exporttransactions
Task Force on Combating Financial and Computer Crime • Coordinated by FYR of Macedonia • Supported by U.S. Secret Service,Payment Cards Industry(Visa-Master Card),Interpol,Europol • Focuses on: counterfeited currencies and cards, money laundering, computer crimes, • training of the experts
Task Force on Stolen Vehicles • Coordinated by Hungary • Exchange information regarding vehicle registration and documentation system • Review vehicle originality system • Increase control over and the activity rule of vehicle trade companies, by establishing a database • In 2003, Operation Road Show
Anti-terrorism Task Force • Coordinated by Turkey • Includes three sub-projects: • Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons(SALW) (led by Albania) • Trafficking in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) (led by Romania) • Terrorist Groups (led by Turkey) • Aimed at preventing, detecting, investigating and combating terrorism- related crimes
Istanbul bombings and SECI Center assistance Beit Shalom Synagogue British Consulate
Sharing our experience • SECI Center understands the benefits of creating a larger and more homogenous law enforcement activity aimed at combating terrorism • SECI Center provided technical assistance and expertise for the future establishment of the GUUAM Virtual Center
SECI REGIONAL CENTER FOR COMBATING TRANSBORDER CRIME • SECI Regional Center – an effective regional tool in the fight against organized transborder crime and terrorist activities • Ultimate goal: create an active and sustainable partnership with all related actors, by increasing regional and international cooperation, in order to provide a prosperous economic environment For more information, please visit www.secicenter.org