Bečić: Successful security of the EU-Western Balkans Summit is a historical exam for institutions, passed with the highest grade

The successful security of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, the first such gathering ever held in Montenegro, represented a historic exam for Montenegrin institutions, which was passed with the highest grade, said Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić.

He and Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović today attended the expanded collegium of the Director of the Police Administration, Lazar Šćepanović, at the Training Center for the Special Police Unit and the Special Police Unit, which was attended by the heads of all organizational units of the Police Administration that "carried the burden of implementing security activities during the European Union - Western Balkans Summit in Tivat."

During the collegium, Bečić and Šaranović sent strong messages of support and gratitude to the managers and heads of organizational units and to all members of the Police Administration who participated in the planning, coordination and implementation of one of the most complex security undertakings in the modern history of Montenegro.

Bečić assessed that the successful security of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, the first such gathering ever held in Montenegro, represented a historic exam for Montenegrin institutions, which was passed with the highest grade.

"It is precisely thanks to the professional work of the Police Directorate, the impeccable coordination of all security sector entities and months of preparations that Montenegro has shown that it has the capacity to organize and secure events of the highest international importance, with the presence of the highest European and regional officials," he emphasized.

As he added, the impressions conveyed by the guests about the organization of the Summit after the summit represent the greatest recognition for the work of the Montenegrin intelligence and security apparatus.

"This was much more than a successfully completed task. It is a clear confirmation that Montenegro has built a professional, credible and reliable security sector. And you have shown that the state can count on you in the most demanding circumstances and that the law is now in the hands of professionals who apply it equally to everyone," said Bečić. He emphasized that the security sector today functions as a single system, free from divisions and focused exclusively on the protection of national interests, the security of citizens and the rule of law, and announced continued investments in the technical capacities, equipment and human resources of the Police Directorate.

"Montenegro is finally living a reality in which political leaders do not interfere in the operational actions of any Montenegrin police officer. And today, I send you, over 50 officers and managers, a clear message and convey it to your officers: The law is entrusted to professionals. You have full support. Apply the law to the last letter, without compromise, equally towards everyone, both domestic and foreign citizens. The security sector is not interested in anyone's political or ideological beliefs, but whether you respect the law or not, whether you serve the state or criminal structures. There are no other divisions, because we all play for the same team, and that is the state of Montenegro, and our opponent, to whom we strike blows every day, are all criminal organizations and all forms of crime," he said.

Bečić added that their clear promise is that they will continue to improve working conditions in the police, operational-technical capacities and the existing personnel deficit, because "this very security sector management has issued three public calls based on the Law they reformed, which will solve the existing pronounced personnel deficit."

"Therefore, we are sending a clear message to all young people from this place: Apply for the current Public Call for Applications for 500 people under the age of 32, with a minimum of a fourth-level education. The most important condition is that your intentions are honorable and your hands are clean. You are needed in the process of healing and strengthening this system, because people have always been and will be the foundation of every successful house!", he said.

Šaranović emphasized that the successful implementation of security tasks during the summit showed that cooperation between intelligence and security sector bodies has never been of higher quality. "Many doubted whether Montenegro could respond to such a challenge. Today, the answer is completely clear. A small state, with dedicated and professional people, has demonstrated capacities that can serve as an example to much larger systems. The coordination of all security structures was impeccable, and international partners recognized and particularly valued it," he said. It was particularly emphasized that the successful holding of the Summit sent a strong international message that Montenegro is a safe, stable and secure state, capable of guaranteeing security to the highest European and world officials in a time of pronounced global and security challenges.

"Such a message has multiple significance for the country's international reputation, the European integration process, attracting investments and the success of the tourism industry," concluded Šaranović.

The statement added that the meeting assessed that the trust of international partners in Montenegrin security institutions is greater today than ever, and that the successful organization and security of the EU-Western Balkans Summit has further strengthened Montenegro's position as a credible partner of the European and Euro-Atlantic security community.

Bečić and Šaranović expressed special gratitude to every police officer who was engaged during the preparation and implementation of the summit, emphasizing that it was the Police that was the pillar of the overall security system and most deserving of the fact that the event of historical importance for Montenegro took place completely safely, professionally and at a level that earned the respect of the domestic and international public. "This is a success of the state of Montenegro. But above all, this is a success of the Montenegrin Police!", concluded Bečić.