In addition to multi-disciplinary approach, a successful fight against organized crime, as a complex threat that surpasses national borders also depends substantially to building integrated mechanisms for cooperation between states and international institutions, Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska said Monday.

The practice thus far has shown that full documentation of one operation is only possible by conducting joint, international investigations and direct exchange of data with an inclusion of relevant institutions of all countries involved in the operations, Jankuloska said at the fourth module of the regional training "Fight against Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking", being held in Skopje within the framework of the "Partnership for Education" programme.

Macedonia and all other countries of the region are part of the so-called Balkan route, which is part of the global chain of transporting drugs and smuggling migrants, Jankuloska said.

"The support of strengthening the capacity of specialized units for combating organized crime via education and confidence building today is the safest investment in the future of one country and next generations. The operations Bosporus and Conductor are the best examples that have contributed to promoting Macedonia’s police into a credible international partner," Jankuloska said.

US Ambassador Paul Wohlers welcomed the presence of police services of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia/Herzegovina and Croatia in the regional training, which is expected to further advance the operational cooperation in fighting organized crime.

"This regional imitative is yet another part of our continuous efforts to help you to strengthen your already functional police teams," Wohlers said.

The training is organized by the US Embassy in Skopje, ICITAP program - Macedonia, along with the US Embassy in Croatia and the Macedonian Ministry of Interior Affairs.