Association of European Police Colleges held first meeting in Pristina

Pristina, April 5, 2011 - Association of European Police Colleges held a meeting for the first time in Pristina. At this meeting participated Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Bajram Rexhepi, Executive Chief of the Centre for the Public Safety, Education and Development (KCPSED), Mr. Sheremet Ahmeti, Kosovo Police Director, Mr. Reshat  Maliqi, Ambassador of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Mr. Werner Almhofer, President of the Association of European Police Colleges (AEPC), Mr. Maurice Petit and other safety experts. Minister Rexhepi stressed out that cooperation with AEPC is a precondition for European integration, where will be the harmonization of best practices of new police cadets’ education. He said that police officers who are trained in the same spirit throughout the territory of Europe will have much easier the common approach to combat and prevent negative phenomena in society, and to provide public safety for all their citizens. Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Bajram Rexhepi said that MIA is willing to offer cooperation in any field that contributes to regional and European cooperation.
"We are ready to take our responsibilities, and we are privileged to be part of European reforms in terms of training and education of rule of law forces." Whereas the president of the Association of European Police Colleges, Mr. Maurice Petit said that KCPSED dynamic work is an excellent example in the field of education and police training. "The Center has applied in AEPC in mid of 2009 and I met with Kosovo colleagues at the end of 2009 and today they are already able to organize, to be host of this meeting. For me it is an excellent example of the dynamism of this country, especially in police education and training. "
He said the mission of the Executive Committee is to discuss the Association's strategy and its priorities and develop new initiatives and to assess the cooperation, adding that this Committee provides effective discussions and decision making according to needs of members. Association of European Police Colleges (AEPC) has 45 member states. Kosovo Centre for Public Safety, Education and Development is accepted in quality of observer member by AEPC Governing Board, in its meeting held on September 17, 2009, in Budva, Montenegro.