Enhancing counter-terrorism co-operation in Mediterranean Basin theme of OSCE event in Spain

More than 65 practitioners from judiciary and law enforcement agencies will meet from 17 to 18 September 2013 to discuss how to best contribute to an effective and timely exchange of operational information on terrorists and terrorist networks. Gathering in Malaga, Spain, they will represent 17 OSCE participating States and countries from the Mediterranean region, OSCE Partners for Co-operation, as well as various international and regional organizations.

The primary focus of the workshop is the implementation of the universal legal instruments against terrorism. It is co-organized by the OSCE and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in close co-operation with the Spanish Interior Ministry.

“The fight against terrorism is one of the priorities of Ukraine in the OSCE this year,” said Viacheslav Baranov, who represented the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship 2013 at the event. "It is important to initiate debate on this issue to help implement the OSCE consolidated framework for the fight against terrorism recently adopted by all OSCE participating States.” One of practical steps in this direction is the organization of the OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference to be held on October 10-11, 2013 in Kiev, he said.

The event participants will share best practices in working on criminal matters related to terrorism cases, particularly on the pre-investigation, investigation and prosecution phases.

“In line with international standards, countries should implement measures in the fight against terrorism to ensure effective international co-operation and information exchange at all stages of terrorism cases. I believe the workshop in Malaga will be useful for all participants in implementing anti-terrorism strategies across the Mediterranean area,” said Lassaad Bechoual, Chief of the Customs Service of Tunisia, who took part in the seminar.

This workshop will help enhance regional security through increased co-operation between the OSCE and its Mediterranean partners for Co-operation, through the framework of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.