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: 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” SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE Regional Center for Combating Transborder Crime

 SECI Center - established in 1999 by 11 SEE countries (SECI Agreement) 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  SECI Center includes Liaison Officers from both police and customs administrations  Assist in the harmonization of the Member countries’ law enforcement legislation with EU standards

12 Member countries Albania Bosnia Herzegovina BulgariaCroatiaGreeceHungaryMoldova FYRO Macedonia Romania Serbia Montenegro SloveniaTurkey

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 with South 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; Regulations of the Center; Strategic Plan; and Strategic Plan; and Annual Action Plan Annual Action Plan  In 2002 – 7 regional operations  In 2003 – 6 regional operations  Coordinated investigations

National Focal Points SECI Regional Center NFP Bosnia& Herzegovina NFP Croatia NFP Greece NFP Albania NFP Hungary NFP Serbia& Montenegro NFP Slovenia NFP Romania NFP FYR Macedonia NFP Moldova NFP Turkey NFP Bulgaria

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 Force on 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 Force on Combating Trafficking in Drugs  Coordinator – Bulgaria  Close cooperation with DEA  In 2002, Operation CONTAINMENT 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 export transactions

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 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 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 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