Each project has a beginning and an end: BESp Closing Conference

Every beginning has an end and so the time came to reflect on the achievements of our 5-year Regional BESp Project. From July 3rd to 4th, the Closing Conference of the “Balkans Strengthening Enforcement Project” (BESp) was held in Bar, Montenegro, organized by CILC.

The Conference brought together all national and international partners and stakeholders from the Western Balkans. It was opened by Marc Schmitz, president of the UIHJ – UNION INTERNATIONALE DES HUISSIERS DE JUSTICE, Ms. Melissa Ford, First Secretary (Diplomat) of the HCCH – Hague Conference on Private International Law, Mr. Senid Strikovic, on behalf of the host Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, as well as the representatives of the CILC, Mr. Eric Vincken, Deputy Director of CILC, and Ms. Zlaty Mihailova, Project Director of the BESp.

Throughout the two-day panels, with the support of the leading project expert Mr. Jos Uitedehaag, participants actively reflected the five years of collaboration, challenges and achievements, insights and takeaways.

All participants emphasized the recognition of the valuable support and key role of BESp in strengthening the enforcement process in the Western Balkans and the adoption of HCCH Judgments Convention. They pointed out to the importance of further cooperation in this area with great will and dedication.

 The representatives of the CILC and BESp project thanked and gave special credits to all partners, representatives of the ministries of justice, judicial training academies and the chambers for enforcement agents from Western Balkans, as well as the National Champions for promotion of HCCH Judgments Convention: Mr. Ilija Rumenov, Mr. Slavko Djordjevic, Ms. Donikë Qerimi, Ms. Maja Kostic-Mandic and Ms. Aida Bushati. 

During the days of exchanging experiences and memories, filled of bitter-sweet moments, sad to accept the ending but filled with joy and reward. Recognizing and awarding partners, all participants concluded one thing: “This is not goodbye!”

The project was funded by the Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs and implemented by the Center for International Legal Cooperation in the period 2020-2025.