Despite the difficult legacy of the past, numerous deficits, the filtration of crime within the system, insufficiently efficient court processes and other challenges, thanks to the determined cooperation of the security sector, the prosecution and our international partners, primarily EUROPOL, the results in the fight against organised crime and cleansing the system of all illicit influences demonstrate Montenegro's determination to build strong institutions, break all criminal links and live a European future, said Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, the Fight against Crime and Home Affairs Aleksa Bečić at a meeting that he and Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović had today with EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magnus Bruner.
Bruner, as stated in the joint statement by Bečić and Šaranović, emphasized that he strongly supports Montenegro and, together with his team, affirms its accession to the European Union.
Bečić pointed to the success and results achieved when it comes to dynamizing Montenegro's European path, highlighting the great contribution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"Historical results in the level of criminal cases solved, the number of prosecuted members of criminal groups and persons of operational interest, the fight against economic and environmental crime and the dismantling of smuggling chains confirm the above. Also, in the past four months, 20% more weapons and 70% more ammunition were returned in the action 'Respect Life, Return Weapons' than in the past 10 years. If we add to all the above that over 100 police officers have been suspended, arrested or otherwise prosecuted in the past few months, that around 30 cases have been opened, and in connection with the control of property, income and lifestyle of police officers, predominantly high-ranking management personnel, a first-instance verdict was issued against the former director of the Police Administration, and that indictments against numerous leaders of the security sector, judiciary, prosecution and other institutions from the previous period have been confirmed, then it is completely clear how determined and determined Montenegro is to reform the system and heal institutions," the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
He added that in addition to the numerous successes on the European path in the past year and a half, where, as he assessed, they have turned the process of stagnation and blockage into a process of progress and continued successes on the European path, the adoption of action plans for closing chapters 23 and 24 confirm the determination of this Government to continue at the same pace.
"Within the action plan for closing Chapter 24, we have defined 62 goals and 106 activities that need to be implemented in the next year and a half, with clearly defined authorities' responsibilities and deadlines, with the aim of becoming the 2028th member of the EU in 28," concluded Bečić.
Šaranović pointed out the importance of the Rulebook that is being applied, which checks the lifestyle of police officers, emphasizing that over 100 police officers have been suspended "and those involved in criminal activities", and that this is most supported, in the words of Minister Šaranović, by "the indiscriminate and determined fight of the SDT and the UP".
Concluding the meeting, Bruner congratulated the guests on their sincere efforts and results, pointing out that what is most important at the end of the day is the results, adding that he also welcomes the adoption of the new Strategy for Combating Crime, the statement concludes.
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