Sofia, Bulgaria – The 14th Meeting of the Thematic Working Group on Exchange of Information regarding Forged and Fake Travel Documents within the Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe (PCC SEE) was held in Sofia from 19–21 May 2026 under the auspices of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office and with the support of the PCC SEE Secretariat.

The meeting brought together experts from the PCC SEE Contracting Parties with operational and forensic expertise in the field of document fraud. Participants exchanged information on recent trends and developments concerning forged and counterfeit travel documents, discussed common challenges encountered in their daily work, and continued the established practice of exchanging national document specimens and information on the security features of travel documents issued by their respective countries.

The agenda also addressed recent developments and operational challenges related to border control and border checks in the PCC SEE region. Participants exchanged experiences and best practices regarding the detection of fraudulent documents, risk indicators and emerging trends affecting border management. In addition, experts discussed law enforcement challenges related to counterfeit euro banknotes, sharing national experiences and approaches aimed at improving the detection and investigation of currency counterfeiting offences.

Representatives of Europol, Frontex and Interpol complemented the meeting with presentations on relevant European and international developments, available support mechanisms and ongoing initiatives in the areas of document security, border management and the fight against cross-border crime.

The meeting once again demonstrated the importance of regular expert exchanges in strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing professional networks and supporting coordinated responses to evolving security challenges. Through the continued sharing of expertise, practical experiences and operational information, the Thematic Working Group contributes to improving the capacities of the PCC SEE Contracting Parties in preventing and combating document fraud and related forms of cross-border crime.