consulate events
Combating Cross-Border Organized Crime in SE Europe
February 1-2, 2006
The Hyatt Regency Hotel, Thessaloniki, Greece
The Stability Pact for SEE-Thessaloniki Office, the Stability Pact Secretariat on Combating and Organized Crime (SPOC), the American Consulate General, and the Center for European and International Economic Law of Thessaloniki, co-organized a conference/training on "Combating Cross-Border Organized Crime in Southeast Europe" in Thessaloniki on February 1-2, 2006.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministries of Macedonia and Thrace, Foreign Affairs, Justice and Public Order. The event focused on the capacity building of Southeast Europe law-enforcement, customs and prosecutorial authorities with the aim to enhance existing structures of cooperation among the various agencies in their fight against organized crime.
Approximately 80 officials from Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) member states participated in three workshops on "Narcotics and Arms Smuggling," "Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Immigration," and "Counterfeiting and Document Fraud."
The Deputy Chief of Mission to Greece, Mr. Thomas Countryman, addressed the conference with opening remarks that portrayed organized crime as a serious threat to the stability of the region.