Secretariat - Strategic Police Matters Unit

VIENNA, 20 June 2012 - The OSCE's Transnational Threats Department in co-operation with OSCE field offices in South-Eastern Europe and the commercial sector are supporting a conference on combating the illicit trade in cigarettes and internet software piracy to be held in Ohrid on 21 and 22 June.

Representatives of the countries from the South-Eastern Europe and other parts of the OSCE region interested in promoting cross-border anti-crime initiatives will take part in the conference, which is jointly organized by the OSCE, Japan Tobacco International and Microsoft.

The conference marks the first time the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department has joined forces with commercial companies in bringing public and private sector representatives together to discuss the shared problem of organized crime in the region, the challenges the countries are facing and to make recommendations for further action at the regional level.

Representatives of the OSCE, the Customs Office, Regional Co-operation Council, as well as Japan Tobacco International and Microsoft Corporation will address the participants. Senior police officials, customs agents, tax authorities, prosecutors and judges of the countries of the region, as well as experts from the private sector will take part in the event.

Journalists are invited to the opening session on Thursday, 21 June, from 9.00 to 11.30, to be held at Bellevue – Metropol Hotel in Ohrid.