Day of Police and Security and the Day of the Military Police Battalion is observed on Tuesday. Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska laid flowers at the monument of perished police officers at the Ministry.

Jankuloska congratulated the Police Day to all MoI employees, expressing gratitude for their honesty, commitment and professionalism in executing their tasks.

"Their sacrifice, humanity and patriotism have made us proud. We pay homage to all perished heroes, who gave their lives for Macedonia's peace and security", said Jankuloska.

According to her, the commitment and professionalism of the police has also been noted by the European Commission's report, but also in the High-Level Accession Dialogue report and the Transparency International report on corruption.

"The OSCE report has also been most positive over the past decade. Moreover, the survey by Progres agency has shown that almost two-thirds of respondents trust and respect the police in their environments, whereas over 80 percent believe the police can provide support when required", said Jankuloska.

Referring to achievements over the past year, she said there has been an increasing revealing trend of economic crime and narcotics trafficking, accompanied by downward trend in heavy crimes.

"Over the past 365 days, the police investigated 26 murders, the lowest rate since Macedonia's independence, accompanied by 20-percent reduction in robberies. With regards to narcotics smuggling, it is worth mentioning that joint operations for breaking international trafficking rings have been doubled", emphasized Minister Jankuloska.

These achievements, she added, resulted from the commitment, but also investments in training and modernization.

"New police vehicles have been procured, we have opened a new forensics lab, while a number of police stations have been overhauled. We also put into use video surveillance project 'Safe City' in Skopje", said Jankuloska.

Dozens of international agreements on enhancement of cooperation and exchange of experiences and information have also been signed.

A Ministry delegation paid their respects at the monument in front of the Border Police, whereas family members laid flowers at the monument of the fallen defenders in Skopje downtown.

President Gjorge Ivanov is set to present today posthumous medals of bravery to 32 members of the security forces and the Ministry of Interior, who lost their lives serving the country.

The ceremony held in Skopje army barracks "Ilinden" will be attended by Macedonian Army (ARM) Chief of Staff, Major-General Goranco Koteski, Defense Ministry State Secretary Saso Stefanoski, Joint Operational Command Commander, Brigadier-General Metodija Velickovski etc.

The Military Police Battalion was established in 1992, compatible with counterpart units in NATO member-states' armies.