Project on culture and environmental crimes kicks off in Skopje

(ANSA) - SKOPJE, 07 NOV - In the Amam National Gallery "Daut Pasha" in Skopje, the Twinning project "Strengthening the institutional capacities in dealing with cultural heritage and environmental crimes" financed by the European Union and entrusted to the Carabinieri Corps was officially presented. The launching event was attended by Ambassador Andrea Silvestri, the Deputy Minister of Interior of North Macedonia Astrit Iseni, the Head of Mission of the European Delegation Michalis Rokas, the Resident Twinning Advisor Capt. Andrea Marchetti, and the project leaders of the Carabinieri Corps, Brig. Gen. Pietro Carrozza, and the local Ministry of Interior, Faredin Zenuni.
    In his speech, Ambassador Silvestri emphasised that the project is part of the fruitful cooperation between Italy and North Macedonia, also in the field of police and rule of law, and that it is based on several bilateral agreements and multiple activities of institutional cooperation and operational collaboration. "This new EU twinning project focuses on two issues that are central to the identity and quality of life of the citizens of this country," said Silvestri. The Ambassador also remarked that the collaboration between the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior and the Carabinieri Corps - one of the undisputed world leaders in the field of cultural heritage protection, with consolidated experience also in the field of environmental protection - is of fundamental importance because through training programmes and the sharing of experiences, this partnership will strengthen the capacity of local authorities to deal with complex crimes such as those against cultural and environmental heritage.
    The importance of actions to preserve North Macedonia's rich cultural and environmental heritage was also highlighted by Amb. Rokas. Brig. Gen. Carrozza illustrated the characteristics and objectives of the project, which is divided into two parts, a strategic part aimed at more structural reforms, such as the development of specialised units to combat crimes against cultural heritage and the environment, and an operational part aimed at facilitating the creation of a national platform against these crimes, the drafting of documents of standardised operational procedures, and the training of operational personnel carried out by experts from our Carabinieri Corps. The strong appreciation of the local authorities for the initiative and for the contribution of the Corps was witnessed by Deputy Minister Iseni and local project leader Zenuni.
    "With this project," commented Silvestri, "we confirm Italy's strong commitment to supporting North Macedonia in two key areas such as cultural heritage and the environment, in full coherence with our strong commitment to supporting the objective of North Macedonia's rapid accession to the EU.