'We know who and where the criminals are, but we lack the legal framework
to put them in jail. Through the Stability Pact, the international community
helps us a lot in providing legislation and best practice.'
Gabriela Konevska, Director of the Legal Department, Regional Crime Fighting Centre, Bucharest

Target : to bring together all actors in the fight against organised crime in SEE

The consequences of war, ineffective border management, absence of rule of law and weak law enforcement capabilities have created a fertile ground for organised crime in South East Europe. Authorities in SEE have only recently begun to take co-ordinated action against this phenomenon. Knowledge and reliable information on the nature, scope and impact of organised crime in this region is still limited. Fighting cross-border crime requires regional concerted action. The Stability Pact aims to strengthen capacities against organised crime in SEE at the regional level. An effective instrument against organised crime in SEE is the Regional Anti-Crime Centre in Bucharest. There, police and customs officers from 12 countries of the region work together to exchange information in 'real time' on cross-border criminal activities. Building on the operational success of the centre, the Stability Pact aims to streamline and concentrate all regional activities against organised crime (under 1 umbrella).

Where do we stand now ?

The Executive Secretariat of the Stability Pact Organised Crime Initiative (SPOC) has been established at the Regional Anti Crime Centre in Bucharest. The aim is to combine the efforts of both bodies in the field of legislative reform and capacity building. Both parties will benefit from this setting, as input from the operational side (the Regional Centre) is needed to identify shortfalls in the area of legislation, where the Stability Pact would then deliver the know-how to resolve these identified gaps. Interpol has established a liaison at the Centre and negotiations with Europol are in progress.

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