4.6 Mission to Skopje Activities Related to Threats Posed by Criminal Activity Criminal Investigation and Analysis On 7 and 8 November, in co-operation with TNTD/SPMU, the Mission organized regional training workshop in Skopje on “Criminal Intelligence Databases and IT Structures Supporting Intelligence-Led Policing” for 70 law enforcement officials from Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. During the event, experts from Austria, Europol, Estonia and Israel delivered presentations on the structure of national criminal intelligence databases and IT systems. The participants also shared experiences in utilizing national intelligence databases in access, input, analysis and output during the strategic and operational tasks in ILP. Financial Investigations, Anti-Money Laundering and Seizures of Criminal Proceeds From 26 to 28 March, the Mission supported a study visit for five MoIA officials to the Hungarian MoI in Budapest. The event was organized to facilitate and accelerate the establishment of the FIU within the MoIA, according to the national strategy for strengthening the capacity for conducting financial investigations and assets confiscation. During the visit, participants gained valuable insights from the Hungarian authorities, which they were able to use in establishing the new FIU. From 8 to 10 April, within the context of expanded capacities and structure of Financial Police Office (FPO) and with a view of signing a co-operation agreement between the FPO and Guardia di Finanza, the Mission supported a visit of FPO three officials to Guardia di Finanza HQ in Rome. During the visit, the participants met with the Guardia di Finanza’s Commanding General and visited five institutions of Guardia di Finanza, which are involved in combating corruption, money laundering, and conducting financial investigations. From 28 to 30 October, in support of the implementation of the national Strategy to Strengthen the Capacity for Conducting Financial Investigations and Assets Confiscation, in co-operation with the Hungarian Embassy, the Mission organized a workshop in Skopje on “Financial Investigation, Anti-Corruption and Assets Recovery”. In total, 32 representatives from FPO, PPO, CA, Agency for Management of Seized and Confiscated Property and newly established FIU participated in the workshop. During the workshop, three experts from Hungary shared their experiences in conducting financial investigation and fighting corruption, with a special focus placed on anti-corruption investigations and open and covert operations. 96 Counter-Terrorism & P/C VERLT From 1 July to 12 December, the Mission facilitated three workshops in Skopje and Kumanovo on drafting the Local Action Plans on P/C VERLT for 105 LPCs members (including representatives from municipal administration, local institutions, youth organizations, CSOs, religious communities, and women organizations) from the Gazi Baba, Butel and Kumanovo Municipalities. Recommendations stemming from the workshop discussions will be inserted in the respective local action plans to be adopted by each municipal council during 2020. From 7 to 11 October, the Mission organized a study visit to Paris for five members of the National Committee on Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism on referral mechanisms and rehabilitation programmes. During the visit, a series of meetings were organized to assist participants in gaining a better understanding of the French referral mechanisms and rehabilitation-reintegration programmes. During the visit, participants had the opportunity to be familiarized with local and national referral mechanisms and the level of inter-agency co-operation. Trafficking in Human Beings & Migration-related Crime From 2 to 4 April, the Mission conducted a training seminar in Skopje on “Techniques and Methods for Interviewing Minors and Victims of Sexual Exploitation” to introduce best practice and the appropriate models for approaching and obtaining information from minors, while respecting their rights and well-being. During the seminar, two experts from EU countries guided participants from the National Task Force for combating Smuggling of Migrants and Human trafficking, public prosecutors and social workers on the techniques used in combating THB and prevention of victimization of minors. The Mission also delivered a comprehensive presentation about the seven steps of the ‘PEGASUS model’ applied when interviewing juvenile victims. On 26 September, in co-operation with the MoIA and the Mirage Task Force of the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre, the Mission organized a meeting in Ohrid on Countering THB and Illegal Migration. In total, 50 representatives from Albania, BiH, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Turkey highlighted that THB was a global threat that required a comprehensive regional and international approach, emphasising also case studies of effective regional responses in addressing cross-border crime. On 7 and 8 October, in assisting the authorities in developing by-laws and regulations in line with the international conventions and respect for human rights, the Mission