The third Steering Committee meeting of the European Union/Council of Europe Horizontal Facility Action “Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings” took place in Skopje on 14 December. The meeting brought together representatives of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration, the State Inspectorate of Labour, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union Delegation as well the non-governmental organisation Open Gate/La Strada and International Centre for Migration Policy Development.

The Council of Europe project team gave an update on the implemented activities as well as an outlook on future steps. The steering committee members expressed their satisfaction for the achieved results. The participants focused on the implementation of future activities set out in the action work plan and discussed the ways to maximise their impact.

The Head of Operations of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje as well as the Horizontal Facility project team thanked the beneficiaries for their commitment and excellent co-operation in the implementation of the action. The next steering committee meeting will take place in the first half of 2018.