ODIHR supports dialogue between OSCE participating States in Western Balkans, EU and Schengen countries on cross-border travel | WPN World People News

Officials from OSCE participating States in the Western Balkans shared good practices and challenges in the issuance and examination of travel documents with their counterparts from the European Union, Schengen states and associated countries during an expert meeting in Brussels on 11 April 2018.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) joined the Bulgarian EU Presidency in organizing the meeting as part of efforts to promote freedom of movement by facilitating regional dialogue on cross-border travel.

Border control officials from Albania and Serbia and representatives of travel document issuance authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro presented the latest experience on issues related to authentic and false travel documents at all levels of production, issuance and control.

The meeting focused specifically on the latest trends in improving the security of travel documents by concentrating on evidence of identity used in the process of applying for such documents.

During the event, ODIHR experts provided an overview of the Office’s assistance to participating States in the Western Balkans to improve identity management and establish secure procedures for issuing travel documents and identity cards.

“Secure frameworks for the issuance and robust border inspection of travel documents are important preconditions in facilitating cross-border travel,” said Christine Hirst, Deputy Head of ODIHR’s Democratization Department. “ODIHR supports participating States in the Western Balkans in sharing their experiences with practitioners from the EU to promote learning among relevant stakeholders about the latest initiatives in the field.”

The event was organized within the framework of regular meetings of the Working Party on Frontiers/False Documents of the Council of the European Union convened by the EU Presidency.

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe