We have enough people and vehicles to protect guests: Police Directorate on securing the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tivat

The Police Directorate (PD) cannot, due to legal restrictions, provide details on how it will secure the EU-Western Balkans Summit, scheduled for early June in Tivat, but it says that it will engage all necessary capacities, including "the necessary number of police officers and the necessary number of official vehicles", for the safe and smooth running of the event.

The largest international gathering in the history of Montenegro is set to bring together 27 leaders of the EU member states, heads of that community and leading figures from the countries of the region on June 5. 42 foreign delegations are expected to arrive, along with several hundred of their members and representatives of international and domestic media.

Therefore, organizing such a gathering imposes major security, organizational and technical challenges, i.e. obligations, on the host country.

When asked by "Vijesti" whether there would be any problems with the organization given the planned arrival of a large number of protected persons, whether the police would have enough officers to secure the event, and enough official cars to transport protected persons, the Police Department responded that they would form a headquarters to prepare for the security of the summit, whose work would include representatives of all organizational units of the police.

"All necessary capacities of the Police will be engaged, including the required number of police officers and the required number of official vehicles, which you have shown interest in in the questions, in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the event and the safety of protected persons at all stages of their stay," the Public Relations Team of the Police responded.

A committee formed by the head of state is working on organizing the event. Jakov Milatovic, who (the president) initiated the idea of ​​Montenegro hosting the summit. The committee, led by the president's office, brings together representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, European affairs, finance, interior affairs and public administration, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Transport, Montenegro Airport and the Municipality of Tivat.

The President of the country recently requested more than half a million euros from the Government to organize the summit, which the executive branch has since approved.

"Vijesti" announced two days ago that the summit could lead to changes in flight schedules in Montenegro, and the difficult functioning of road traffic in the south of the country.

When it comes to one of the key questions being asked ahead of the summit - whether Montenegrin airports, Tivat and Podgorica, have the capacity to welcome a large number of delegations - the company Aerodromi told "Vijesti" that only available slots, which are not occupied by regular commercial flights, have been reserved for the arrivals and departures of event participants.

However, they noted that there may be a partial deviation from the regular flight schedule because, as they explained, delegations will have so-called HEAD status and priority for landing and takeoff compared to commercial flights.

The airport stated that both Montenegrin airports will be available to guests, and added that they were informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is in communication with the competent authorities of Croatia "with the aim of ensuring all logistical and operational prerequisites so that Dubrovnik Airport can be proposed as one of the locations for the arrival and departure of delegations."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the newspaper that if any of the delegations decide to travel to Montenegro via the "Ruđer Bošković" airport in Dubrovnik, they will have "all necessary attention, assistance and protocol, in accordance with the highest standards."

Regarding the issue of road traffic, "Vijesti" sources pointed to potential problems.

"Since these planes are carrying highly protected individuals, an escort convoy must be organized for all of them to arrive at the platform to the plane itself, and then a completely clear (almost empty) road to the summit venue," said the well-informed source, adding that this means that the Adriatic Highway in Tivat, which is inadequate and often congested, will most likely be out of reach for anyone except foreign delegations that day.