and thus avoid duplication and overlapping of activities. The invited stakeholders who presented their plans of programmatic activities were the CoE, ICITAP, OPDAT and UNODC. These presentations provided the MoI not only with a better overview of the planned activities in the coming period, but also a chance to get fully involved in the planning process. It was agreed that the Council of Europe would host the next meeting in late February 2012. Conducting investigative interviewing has been recognized by the Serbian MoI as an area of policing where further development is required both in terms of building human capacities and infrastructure. During several meetings held with the high representatives of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, the Department presented the Nordic concept (KREATIVE) of training which was developed based on the PEACE model from the UK. In order to efficiently meet the needs of the MoI, the Department carried out a two phase needs assessment. The first phase encompassed an expert needs analysis that was done through a series of interviews with police investigators from relevant organizational units, such as the drugs, juvenile delinquency, homicide and burglaries units in Belgrade, Kragujevac, Novi Sad and Niš. The main objective of the analysis was to identify the current status of training in interviewing techniques within the Serbian police, to identify how a potential lack of education and training in this area affects policing and to identify potential target groups for future training. The second phase was a Workshop with relevant stakeholders from the MoI where the results of the expert needs analysis were further discussed and baselines for the future project were outlined based on the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) methodology used during the workshop. Both mentioned activities were to result in a draft project proposal in the coming period. Following the successful results achieved in the previous regional courses on “Surveillance Techniques”, the Department organized an “Advanced Course on Covert Surveillance Techniques” for selected surveillance officers from the police services of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. The course focused on new techniques such as video transmission and GPS tracking devices, GPS technology; basics of TETRA standards; automatic persons and vehicles surveillance; the integration of GPS and TETRA systems; covert surveillance in rural areas and control deliveries regarding drug matters. The course envisaged two days of practical exercises and simulation of field operations, evaluation and debriefing. It aimed to enhance both the capability of the surveillance officers to use modern covert surveillance techniques and to further transfer knowledge to fellow colleagues in their respective national units. At the same time it provided an opportunity to build and strengthen networks among participants. Additionally, the Department facilitated a study visit for representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Interior’s Surveillance Unit and Drug Smuggling Suppression Department to Gothenburg’s Criminal Police Directorate in Sweden. The purpose of the study trip was to visit the technical support unit to study modern surveillance techniques and equipment, to learn more about controlled deliveries, operational strategies, co-operation with the International Prosecutor Office and the structure of the Drug Department in Gothenburg. The co-operation with Europol and the Nordic Liaison Officers regarding operational drugrelated cases were also discussed. The study trip also created an opportunity for the Swedish and Serbian police officers to meet and share experience. Lastly, the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), expected to be passed by 15 January 2012, was going to introduce a new legal institution on prosecutor-led investigations, which was also to affect the role of police to a certain extent, especially in conducting investigative interviewing of suspects, witnesses, victims etc. Since some of the neighbouring countries, whose legislation is very similar to Serbia’s, had already implemented the prosecutor-led investigations, the Department facilitated a study visit to Sarajevo where representatives of the Serbian MoI and the Prosecution Service had the opportunity to meet their Bosnian 69