SIPA

Director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) Goran Zubac and a representative of the Witness Protection Department participated in the Regional Conference in Tirana, held yesterday 29/4/2014 under the auspices of the European Union. The Conference was organised under the project “Cooperation in Criminal Justice: Protection of Witnesses in the Fight against Organised Crime and Corruption” (WINPRO II). The Project is funded by the European Union IPA 2012 multi-beneficiary programme implemented by NICO.

The Conference was attended by representatives of the WINPRO II Team from courts, prosecutor’s offices and witness protection units/departments from the seven project beneficiary countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia).

In the introduction to the conference, WINPRO II Project Leader Joe Fleming presented the report on all the activities taken in the previous period and progress achieved in the implementation of this project in different areas.

The SIPA representatives commended the WINPRO II Project Team for its considerable contribution to a professional development of the SIPA Witness Protection Department, which is of particular importance for improvement of international cooperation as an essential prerequisite for efficient witness protection. This has contributed to the fulfilment of the strategic objectives of SIPA, which are, among other things, reflected in strengthening its capacities and achieving the highest professional standards in all aspects of work.

Having participated in the Conference, the SIPA Director supported the Project and further emphasised its significance by presenting the embossed emblems of SIPA, the highest recognition of the Agency, to the WINPRO II Team, headed by the Project Leader Chris Albiston, for its special contribution to the development of the Witness Protection Department as well as to the Witness Protection Unit of the MoI of the Republic of Serbia for a very successful cooperation in the previous period.

Chris Albiston expressed his appreciation and said that it was a special honour and pleasure to accept such a great recognition on behalf of the WINPRO II Project Team, which confirms the success of the implemented activities and existing cooperation.