Southeast European police meeting in Tirana

TIRANA, Oct. 31 – Top policemen from southeastern European countries met in Tirana to harmonize legislation. There were representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Republika Serbska of Bosnia, Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Croatia, also representatives from European and other international police institutions. Most of the countries are pre-candidates for European Union membership. Participants said that harmonizing legislation was among the first steps toward EU integration. A main topic of discussion was the International Convention of Police Cooperation and also joint measures to be undertaken for its application. Participants also spoke about their efforts in the fight against organized crime, terrorism, border crime and illegal trafficking. They agreed to create a data bank, co-ordinate working groups and border crossing points and patrols, agreements for witness protection and so on.