POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE mainstream operational responses by the security sector in countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). The meeting was organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department in Vienna as part of the Organization’s wider campaign “OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism” (#UnitedCVE), which highlights the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to preventing VERLT. Illicit Drugs and Chemical Precursors On 12 and 13 October, the Mission facilitated the organization of a regional multi-sectorial meeting of governments and civil society partners from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Budva. The aim of the meeting was to further strengthen cross-border co-operation by adopting a memorandum of understanding on drug prevention. The event was facilitated as part of a project entitled “Anti-Dope Ambassadors Beyond Borders”, which is funded by the EU and focused on drug prevention and strengthening cooperation between young people. The Mission supported the organization of a two-day regional multi-sectorial meeting on drug prevention for government and non-government stakeholders from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 and 13 October in Budva. This meeting was organized as the last activity in a 20 month project focused on drug prevention financed by the European Union through Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) funds within the “Anti-Dope Ambassadors Beyond Borders” project for cross-border co-operation between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project has been implemented by civil society and public institutions to contribute towards minimizing the impact of factors that lead to substance abuse among youth, further mutual understanding and co-operation between the two countries, and expand and strengthen co-operation between young people in the field of primary prevention, education, culture and promote healthy lifestyles using the EU standards and verified methodology. The objective of the regional meeting was to establish long-term cross-border partnerships and institutional co-operation through the signing of a Memorandum on Cross Border Co-operation in Drugs Prevention between representatives of public and civil society institutions from both countries. Trafficking in Human Beings & Migration-related Crime On 19 May, the Mission organized the first in a series of seminars concerning a memorandum of co-operation in the fight against THB (signed in 2014 by the National Coordinator for the Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings and the relevant state institutions) in Bijelo Polje. Twenty officials and representatives from the ministries of education and health, state institutions, police and civil society discussed how to improve the level of knowledge and co-operation in the fight against THB. The aim of the memorandum is to strengthen co-operation in preventing, reporting on, and prosecuting traffickers, along with protecting of potential victims and victims of human trafficking. On 10 June in Berane and 15 June in Tivat, the Mission organized a roundtable regarding the previously discussed memorandum on THB for 25 officials from the ministries of education and health, along with state institutions, police and civil society. The aim of the memorandum is to strengthen co-operation in the prevention, reporting, and prosecution of traffickers and the protection of potential victims and victims of human trafficking, with the aim of ensuring their welfare and integration into society. On 30 June, the Mission supported the organization of a third roundtable regarding the Memorandum of Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for 25 representatives from the ministries of education and health, the Office of the National Co-ordinator for the Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Supreme Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor, other ministries, police and civil society in Nikšić. During the meeting, participants discussed how to strengthen co-operation in preventing, reporting on and prosecuting traffickers, as well as how to protect victims and potential victims of human trafficking. On 1 and 2 November, in co-operation with the Government Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the Mission facilitated the third regional meeting relating to the implementation of the protocol on co-operation in the fight against human trafficking between Albania and Montenegro in Budva. Participants from Kosovo institutions also attended the meeting. The overall aim of the meeting was to define and adopt standard operating procedures for cross-border trafficking cases, with a specific focus on the protection of victims of trafficking. From 6 to 10 November, in co-operation with the Israeli Agency for International Development Co-operation, the Mission supported the participation of a Montenegrin representative at the European Court of Human Rights’ third seminar on the role of the judiciary in combating trafficking in human beings, held in Haifa, Israel. The aim of the event was to contribute to the establishment of a network of judges and strengthen cross-border co-operation in the fight against human trafficking. Topics covered included the current international framework, concepts that arise in cases of trafficking, psychological challenges faced by victims, best practices in the protection of victims, and the rights of victims in criminal proceedings. 75

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