With the support of the “Enhancing multi-agency police cooperation and coordination in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project, the Office of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a study visit to Austria for police directors from the level of the state, entities and cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study visit was organized in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 27 to 30 August 2023.
With the support of the “Enhancing multi-agency police cooperation and coordination in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project, the Office of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a study visit to Austria for police directors from the level of the state, entities and cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study visit was organized in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 27 to 30 August 2023.
The Directors of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska, Ministry of Interior of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, and Police Directorates of Interior of Tuzla Canton, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, West-Herzegovina Canton and Bosnia-Podrinje Canton held high-level meetings with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Austria during which it was discussed about the law enforcement cooperation, community policing, fight against all severe crimes and timely sharing of information.
The aim of the visit was to enhance police cooperation and further strengthen capacities of law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina towards multi-agency police coordination and interoperability, strategic and tactical planning, and to get familiar with best EU Member States’ standards. During the visit, the Police Directors were able to learn more about the best practices and the operational work of the Austrian national law enforcement services as well cooperation in the EU and non-EU Member States using EMPACT, JITs, EUROPOL, INTERPOL/SIRENE and other tools. They were briefed about the security threats and trends in organized crime, irregular migrations, cybercrime and terrorism and secure sharing of information in proactive investigations.
The EU Office in BiH continues to support the international police cooperation and enhancement of police work in BiH in the context of candidate status and priorities for BiH, as listed in Chapter 24 with regard to the law enforcement/home affairs.