OSCE Mission Head to open newly-built police training centres in south Serbia

BELGRADE, 29 May 2007 - New police training centres financed by Norway through the OSCE Mission to Serbia will be inaugurated in the southern Serbian towns of Medvedja, Bujanovac and Presevo on 30 and 31 May.

The new centres allow for modern and professional training of police officers in south Serbia, home to a multi-ethnic population. They will also be used for community policing activities, which help police officers build closer relations with the people they serve.

The centres will be opened by the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Hans Ola Urstad, the Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia, Haakon Blankenborg, and a representative of the Serbian Interior Ministry.

Local leaders from Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja and other officials will attend the inaugurations.

Journalists are invited to the openings as follows:

Medvedja Police Station, Vuka Karadzica 66, Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 11:00

Bujanovac Police Station, Karadjordja Petrovica 66, Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 15:00

Presevo Police Station, Salvadora Aljende 1, Thursday, 31 May 2007, 10:00

A press conference will be held on Thursday, 31 May 2007, at 11:30, at the Presevo Police Station.