23-04-2024 13:45
The Programme Operator, International Projects Directorate - Ministry of Interior, hosted the 13th Cooperation Committee meeting under the Home Affairs Programme of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (NFM) 2014-2021. The meeting was held at a crucial moment, days before the Programme expires on 30 April.
The meeting was hybrid - in-person and online, with the participation of all members, representatives of the Norwegian institutions: the National Police Directorate (POD), the Directorate of Immigration (UDI), the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (JD) and representatives of the Council of Europe. The observers were represented by the Financial Mechanism Office, the National Focal Point, the Ministry of Justice - Bulgaria and the Royal Norwegian Embassy of Norway in Romania, accredited for Bulgaria.
During the meeting, detailed information was presented on the results and indicators achieved under the programme, as well as the status of financial implementation. Project initiatives for bilateral cooperation between Bulgarian and Norwegian institutions in the field of asylum, migration, organised crime and human trafficking were discussed. The proposals are expected to be funded by the Bilateral Fund of the programme.
After the meeting, the participants attended an event to award the children who had distinguished themselves in the best essay contest "No to Difference, Yes to Tolerance and Integration". The initiative, in which 83 children from the country participated, is part of the project "Improving of the coordination and dialogue between the Police and Roma society", funded by the NFM and implemented by the General Directorate of National Police.
The members of the Committee also visited the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, where they were presented with the results of the project "Increasing the capacity of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime for more effective investigation of organized and transnational crime", including specialized premises for identification and interrogation, a meeting and training room, a gym for physical training and a fully renovated and equipped warehouse for the storage of material evidence.
