Second study visit of North Macedonian investigators under twinning project "Building of the institutional capacity of Investigative Centres"

The second study visit of North Macedonian investigators marked the completion of the twinning project implemented by the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) in cooperation with the Croatian Ministry of Justice and Public Administration as junior partner.

The investigators stayed in Croatia from 21 to 24 February.

The study visit included a visit to the County Court in Zagreb, the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK), the European Public Prosecutors' Office (EPPO) and the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration. Apart from the presentation of the structure, legal competences and work of the institutions and the exchange of experiences, representatives of the North Macedonian delegation also expressed their gratitude to the Ministry and Croatian experts from USKOK, who contributed to the successful realisation of the project amidst the COVID pandemic, and their willingness for future cooperation.

The project implementation was initiated in the context of comprehensive and comprehensive judicial reforms carried out by the competent authorities of North Macedonia to strengthen the efficiency of the criminal justice system in the fight against organised crime and corruption, as well as specific  work organisation conditioned by the COVID pandemic.

As part of the planned activities, assistance was provided in setting up criminal investigation centres in Skopje, Kumanovo and Tetovo. These are collective centres of investigation, which will be run by the North Macedonian Public Prosecutor’s Office. The main components of the project concerned  the networking of investigation authorities in North Macedonia and their cooperation with international institutions. 

The implementation of the project worth EUR 1 million started in September 2019, and Croatia contributed primarily through short-term experts from USKOK.

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