The Bulgarian Chairmanship planned two working sessions. During the first session the respective Ministers reviewed the progress in the implementation process of the Convention and outlined further actions to be taken towards its full implementation. Following the conclusions from their previous meetings, in which the conduct of harmonised training on Convention related matters was recognised as a key priority, the Ministers endorsed the Strategy Paper regarding the Conduct of Harmonised Training on Convention Related Matters. Acknowledging the discussions held at the meeting of the representatives of the police education and training institutions, organised on the initiative of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office, the Ministers also adopted the decision on changing the term "standardised training" to "harmonised training" in all Convention documents. The list of national experts nominated by the respective Contracting Parties as members of the mutual evaluation team(s) was endorsed and Albania expressed its readiness to be the first evaluated country.

The second session was dedicated to discussions about the aspects of the Convention as a modern instrument for information exchange and effective police cooperation in the region. It was acknowledged that simple and timely exchange of information is a key factor in achieving efficient results. The Ministers reached a common position to focus on the "human dimension" of cooperation in order to build mutual trust and reach efficient interaction.

The Ministers also welcomed the priorities of the upcoming Macedonian Chairmanship to the Convention and expressed their gratitude to the support of PCC SEE Secretariat and the international partners with regard to the implementation process. The priorities set out by the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office were highly assessed.

Reconfirming the full commitment of the Contracting Parties to an effective implementation process, the Ministers of the Contracting Parties and the Director of DCAF Geneva signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Support Regarding the PCC SEE Secretariat. The Republic of Albania announced its intention to accede to the Memorandum subsequently, not being able to sign it at the meeting due to objective reasons.

This meeting was the concluding event of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office. The Republic of Macedonia is the next Contracting Party to hold the Charmanship for a period of 6 months, starting on 1 July 2010.

Please see section Documents/Decisions of the Committee of Ministers/3rd CoM,Sofia,21 May 2010/ for further details.