Combating Terrorism – EU standards, International Cooperation and Experiences from Member States

Banja Luka, Republika Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina 
 
The Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska, supported by the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission (TAIEX) and in co-operation with the European Academy of Law (ERA), organized a two-day seminar entitled “Combating Terrorism – EU standards, International Cooperation and Experiences form Member States” on May, 22nd and 23rd 2012 in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There were more than 60 participants to this seminar including practitioners in the field, from police officers, Ministry of Interior officials, prosecution services and the judiciary of  the Republic of Srpska, Ministry of Interior of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brcko District Police, Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, SIPA, Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ICITAP and US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The presenters at the seminar included experts from the European Academy of Law (ERA), Swedish Ministry of Justice, General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, EUROPOL, Ministry of Interior of France, Ministry of Citizens Protection of Greece, Higher Regional Court from Germany and Belgian Crown Prosecution Office.

At the press conference held after the opening of the seminar, the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Srpska, Mr Stanislav Cadjo said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not immune to acts of terrorism, but that often there was no adequate response of institutions that are dealing with this threat. He emphasized the importance of integration of all community subjects in the fight against terrorism. The Minister also stated that the aim of this seminar was to consider measures in combating terrorism, to enhance international cooperation in that field and to share experiences of Member States.

The seminar covered all aspects of fight against terrorism, from EU legislation related to this issue to various instruments that are available. Moreover, the practical examples that were presented allowed participants to understand all the issues that have to be analyzed and dealt with when combating terrorism. 
This workshop represents only one of the examples of the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Srpska to provide expert training for law enforcement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The benefit of this kind of event is taking the best European practice, fostering good cooperation and reaching quality results in the area of security.