Mr. Oliver Spasovski, the Minister of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia and H.E. Mr. Dirk Jan Kop, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of North Macedonia opened a three-day simulation exercise, recognizing the importance of IOM North Macedonia's efforts in countering smuggling of migrants (SoM) and trafficking in human beings (THB). Ms. Sonja Bozinovska Petrusevska, Head of IOM in North Macedonia, expressed her gratitude to the Kingdom of Netherlands for the support given and provided an overview of the IOM’s support in the area of combating trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. Ms. Magdalena Nestorovska, the National Coordinator for Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration and Ms. Gordana Smakjoska, the Head of the Task Force gave their opening remarks, conveying their support to the capacity-building interventions in the area.

The simulation exercise was organized within the project “Supporting the National Capacities in Addressing Migrant Smuggling and other Forms of Transnational Organized Crime in the Republic of North Macedonia”, funded by the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Over the course of these three days, members of the National Unit for the Suppression of Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Human Beings, including public prosecutors and detached members from the Border Police, had an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired during the first 7 theoretic trainings conducted in the period from December 2021 to March 2022. Working on a real-case scenario, the participants were exposed to best practices and procedures related to countering SoM and THB, including international cooperation in the field of cross-border crime, with a focus on migrant smuggling. The gender aspects in border management were particularly considered and mainstreamed in the capacity-building training.