Montenegro is no longer a comfort zone for organized crime and remains an ally that does not seek privileges, but delivers results, said Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić.
He met in Washington, D.C., at the United States Congress, with Congressmen Cheli Pingree and Robert Aderholt. Pingree is also the co-chair of the Montenegro Caucus, and Bečić and she discussed key topics of mutual interest in the areas of security, democracy, and stability in the Western Balkans region, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office announced.
Thanking the congresswoman for her "long-standing dedication and impressive experience in public service", Bečić emphasized that Montenegro, although small in population, remains a reliable NATO ally, a country with a clear strategic course towards full membership in the European Union, and today the most advanced candidate on the European path, with all open negotiation chapters and six already closed, with "a strong political will to soon close the rest."
Bečić pointed to "decisive and visible results" in the fight against organized crime and corruption, saying that in the previous period, thanks to the cooperation of the Police Directorate, the Special State Prosecutor's Office and international partners: more than 2.000 members of organized crime groups and persons of operational interest were prosecuted, that the fight against economic crime was intensified "as much as 12 times compared to previous periods". He also said that 95 percent of serious crimes against life and limb were solved, 20 percent more weapons and 70 percent more ammunition were returned "in these four months than in the previous ten years combined", and that "a much stricter law on weapons than the current one is being prepared".
"Montenegro is no longer a comfort zone for organized crime. Today, the state is not backing down, today the state and its government are accountable to the citizens. We are ensuring what has been meaningless for decades, justice, trust in institutions and equal law for all," said Bečić.
Congresswoman Pingri, as announced, expressed strong support for Montenegro, stating that she "particularly appreciates the courage and results" achieved by Bečić, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Police Administration, the SDT and other institutions of the system in the fight against crime. She also emphasized the importance of economic empowerment of citizens as a key to overcoming social divisions and further strengthening democracy, the statement said.
"When you invest in security, you invest in freedom. When you strengthen institutions, you strengthen the state. Montenegro is showing this today with actions, not words. And because of that, we remain an ally that does not seek privileges but delivers results," said Bečić.
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