The EU Support to Law Enforcement Project , in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of BiH and the Delegation of the European Union to BiH, hosted a Pre-Steering Committee today to discuss the Interim Report and draft Work Plan for the third phase covering the period until April 2014.

The Committee touched upon the horizontal issues that the Project has been focusing on such as the exchange of information and data protection system, fight against organised crime and corruption, highlighted achievements and further steps to be taken in terms of compliance with the relevant EU acquis communautaire.

“In terms of achievements, BiH beneficiaries particularly underlined the importance of establishment of the pool of experts in strategic and operational analysis and development of the first BiH Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA). Worthwhile noting is also the work done in assisting BiH Border Police reform its legislation to respond competently to the challenge of guarding the EU External Border and harmonization of the illegal asset seizure legislation,” said Samir Rizvo, BiH Project Coordinator.

The recommendations from today’s meeting will be incorporated into the briefing note for the 3rd Steering Committee Meeting agenda, scheduled to take place on 23 October 2013.

“We highly appreciated the opportunity to recap on what has been achieved since the beginning of the Project and exchange views on what is realistic to be finalised by the end of it. Of particular relevance was a discussion on the challenges that the BiH law enforcement will have to face beyond the duration of the Project taking into account the relevant EU acquis”, said Brigitte Kuchar, Programme Manager of the EU Delegation.
 
Since its launch in May 2012, The Project has been complementing the efforts that law enforcement agencies BiH-wide are making to get closer to the level required for the EU accession.

“There is no doubt that the Project is on track and by its end it will have achieved an irreversible progress in regards to the strengthening of the institutional structures and best practices in the law enforcement and paved the way for future activities,“ said Karl Lesjak, Project Team Leader.