Bečić: Without cooperation with international partners, there would be no results in the fight against organized crime and corruption

The results achieved in the fight against organized crime and corruption are a confirmation of the strong trust of international partners. Without the intensive cooperation and high level of trust that the intelligence and security sector of Montenegro enjoys today with international partners, such results would not have been possible.

This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić at today's meeting with the Co-Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the post-monitoring dialogue with Montenegro, Liliana Tangi, who, together with the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, is on a four-day visit to Montenegro.

As announced by Bečić's office, during the meeting, he assessed that the visit comes immediately after the Summit of European Union and Western Balkans leaders held in Tivat, which he said was the largest international event organized in the recent history of Montenegro.

"The organization, with the security sector as the backbone of the operations, was perfect according to the guests, and the Summit sent unique and very encouraging messages, with great confidence expressed in Montenegro and confirmation that our country is decisively moving towards achieving its strategic goal - membership in the European Union in 2028," said Bečić.

Speaking about European integration, he stated that in the past three years, Montenegro has unblocked a process that had stagnated for years, received a positive IBAR in chapters 23 and 24 and closed 11 negotiation chapters, with the expectation that two more will be closed soon.

"The 44th Government closely monitors the implementation of European obligations at each session. Due to such an approach and intensive reform dynamics, I am convinced that it is completely realistic that, as announced by European officials, we will complete the negotiation process within the planned deadlines and further strengthen Montenegro's position as the first future member of the European Union," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He emphasized that Montenegro remains committed to EU membership, NATO alliance, and strengthening regional stability and good neighborly relations.

Speaking about reforms in the security sector, Bečić said that the priority is strengthening the integrity of institutions and freeing them from criminal influences.

"Until a few years ago, Montenegro was a country that even European institutions recognized as a country of captive institutions, endemic corruption and a hybrid regime. This is precisely why the European integration process was blocked for years, especially in chapters 23 and 24. During those times, two large drug cartels emerged that at one point occupied the state and its institutions, and their numerous servants, fearing healthy reforms, are continuously trying to divert attention because the panic in the ranks of crime is enormous, because every attack by the state on all cartels and criminal organizations is getting stronger and stronger," Bečić said.

That's why there is nervousness today among those who are not comfortable with the healing of the system, he added.

"No one can buy, intimidate, blackmail, or demotivate the current leaders of the security sector with subterfuge and hybrid campaigns and attempts at obstruction in this fight that is being waged exclusively in the interests of Montenegro. Everything only creates even greater motivation for the final victory over all the tentacles of organized crime," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He pointed out that today, at the head of the Police Directorate, we have a determined, knowledgeable, clean and courageous professional who enforces the law equally towards everyone to the last letter, and said that the time of captured institutions and followers of criminal structures and centers of power belongs to the past.

Bečić also stated that the state inherited a system that had been compromised for decades.

"This is evidenced by the fact that numerous actions by competent institutions also prosecute individuals who held the highest judicial and security positions, many of whom have already been convicted in the first instance or have had indictments confirmed for serious criminal offenses. Therefore, cleaning up the system in accordance with legal mechanisms and strengthening integrity is a prerequisite for the recovery of the state and the successful fight against organized crime and corruption," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

"We are simultaneously implementing normative and personnel reforms, with full commitment to the rule of law and European standards. There is no name or surname that can be stronger than the state, nor will they be protected by the law," he said.

Tangi thanked for the reception and emphasized that the aim of the visit was to review how Montenegro fulfills its obligations arising from the fundamental values ​​of the Council of Europe, including the rule of law, protection of human rights, freedom of expression, media freedom and strengthening of democratic institutions.

She said that the report of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should support Montenegro's further progress on its European path.

The interlocutors agreed that the continuation of reforms, strengthening the rule of law and institutions, as well as preserving political stability, are key prerequisites for the successful completion of negotiations with the European Union and further democratization of Montenegrin society, according to a statement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.