[bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua] SKOPJE, March 20 (MIA). Macedonia and Bulgaria, being neighboring states, have exceptionally good cooperation, especially in the fight against organized crime, but also in the meeting of European Union membership criteria through the use of the Bulgarian experience, said Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska and Bulgarian counterpart Mihail Mikov after Friday’s meeting in Skopje.
Mikov stressed that Bulgaria supports Macedonia’s European perspective, adding it would promote at all levels the country’s sooner accession to the White Schengen List. The two ministers signed an agreement on establishing a joint contact-center for police and customs cooperation. "This agreement is of exceptional significance and first of such type for Macedonia, establishing a center with a neighboring state, which will focus on border management and all processes that are important for citizens when passing the border", said MoI Jankuloska.
According to her, the agreement is part of the criteria of the European Acquis regarding implementation of the Schengen law. "The new border control will enable unified approach in border management, but also facilitation of procedures for its crossing", added Jankuloska.
The meeting also focused on other joint projects, with scheduled operational visits regarding project activities.
Bulgarian Minister Mikov emphasized that the agreement should make the border control more efficient, as well as improve the cooperation between the countries‘ police and customs services. "We jointly take part in the SEE convention for fight against organized crime, which represents a modern instrument of cooperation in the Schengen field. In this regard, and as a result of the communication between professionals, I believe we will improve cooperation and the success rate in the fight against organized crime", underlined Mikov.
Source: http://bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua/newsitem.php?id=8586&lang=en
