Embassy Press Release

Equipment donated by FBI to SECI Center

BUCHAREST, October 27th, 2008
Parliament Palace

Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman and SECI Center Director, Mitja Mocnik sitting next to a van donated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to Southeast European Co-operative Initiative . Bucharest, October 27, 2008 (Lucian Crusoveanu / Public Diplomacy Office).

The United States Ambassador to Bucharest, H.E. Nicholas F. Taubman, donated on behalf of U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, equipment and software, to the SECI Regional Center for Combating Transborder Crime.

“This event has to be seen as another proof of U.S. law enforcement agencies’ commitment to our common cause: a safer world for our people. Even though my mandate is ending in Romania, the host country of SECI Center, you can be sure that I will continue to be one of your strong supporters.”, affirmed Ambassador Taubman.

The SECI Center director, Mitja Mocnik took this opportunity to emphasize the importance of cooperation in this field: “Here at the SECI Center, the transnational dimension of joint efforts finds a solid base, meant to support the fight against organized crime. In this arena, the informational and operational input that SECI brings to the region is continuously sustained by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice”.

The $90000 USD donation consists of a van, electrical equipment and software, which will facilitate the day-to-day activities of the organization.

The SECI Regional Center for Combating Transborder Crime launched in 2000 and headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, is a unique operation organization which reunites police and customs liaison officers from the 12 member states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey) who work together in direct cooperation.

Besides the member countries, there are 20 observers, countries and organizations. Italy and the United States have maintained a permanent representation at the SECI Center, while Interpol and World Customs Organization are permanent advisors to the SECI Center.

For more information, please visit the SECI Center website: www.secicenter.org.

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