site.bta Deputy Prosecutor General Masheva Addresses Balkan Countries' General Prosecutors Forum

Addressing the Third Working Forum of the General Prosecutors of the Balkan States, Bulgarian Deputy Prosecutor General Daniela Masheva Thursday said: "Through the correct and uniform application of the law, an effective prosecution service is a guardian of the public interest and the international values we have espoused." The event took place in Bucharest on November 9-10.

"The fight against transnational organized crime can be successful only if there are mechanisms for cooperation among prosecutors, direct contact and coordinated actions," the prosecution service quoted Masheva as saying.

The Bulgarian Prosecutor General's Spokesperson Siika Mileva stressed that the interaction and dialogue among the prosecution services of the Balkan countries is a guarantor of regional security, of coping with the difficulties facing the investigative authorities due to the geopolitical situation, and of a more effective development of the magistrates' skills and practice.

The Third Working Forum of the General Prosecutors of the Balkan States took place under the auspices of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice of Romania. The event was attended by representatives of the prosecution offices of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkiye.

The participants were addressed by Romania's Prosecutor General Gabriela Scutea, High Court of Cassation President Corina-Alina Corbu, Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu, and Constitutional Court President Marian Enache.

The Working Forum of the General Prosecutors of the Balkan States was initiated by the leaders of the prosecution services of Bulgaria and Turkiye. Its first edition was held in Izmir, Turkiye, in October 2019. The second forum took place in Sofia in June 2021. The idea of the forum is to enhance the good cooperation among the prosecutors of the Balkan countries on criminal matters, the prevention and combating of transnational organized crime, including drug and arms trafficking and illegal migration.