Skopje, 30 November 2021 (MIA) – European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said Tuesday that the EU and the Southeast Europe neighbors have made major progress in police cooperation, being the most advanced cooperation of the EU and its immediate neighbors compared to other spheres. The Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe (PCC SEE) is one of the foundations and a key element for the security partnership of the EU with the region, he told via video address the 22^nd meeting of the PCC SEE Committee of Ministers, taking place in Skopje. Commissioner Varhelyi said that a step forward of the Convention is being made with the signing of the protocol to change the agreement for automated access to DNA profiles and certain national vehicle registration data between the six EU member countries and the six non-EU members. In his video address, Varhelyi called authorities to show positive results in criminal investigation, prosecution and verdicts for serious crimes Due to the globalization of security threats, the Commissioner said, all countries must adapt to changes, guard their borders and fight against transnational crime, organized crime, human smuggling and terrorism. Varhelyi noted that the threats could be addressed with the law enforcement agencies joining forces to cooperate and exchange information. The EU, he added, offers projects involving cross border police cooperation and fight against organized crime and terrorism amounting to EUR 32 million for the Western Balkans and EUR 11 million for other Eastern countries. Commissioner Varhelyi said he was impressed with the results of tracing illegal drug trafficking and illegal migration, adding that 330 suspects were arrested and 37 investigations were launched. The EU, he stressed, will continue to improve our partnership during the EU accession process especially in relation to the fight against organized crime and terrorism. Delivering remarks at the meeting, Italian Minister of Interior Luciana Lamorgese said she will continue to support migration policies as well as security.   She also thanked for the efforts made in the prevention and fight against crime, expressing hopes that the non-EU members will join the European family and that the cooperation will further grow. Visiting Minister Lamorgese is due to have bilateral talks with her counterpart Oliver Spasovski.