Montenegro hosts conference on cyber crime

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Budva, Montenegro (24 April 2012) – Interpol and Europol top-level executives, Italian chief of Police, chiefs of police of the countries of the region, representatives of Austrian Interior Ministry, OSCE, FBI, ICITAP and Federal German Criminal Police met together for the conference on cyber crime in Budva, Montenegro, earlier today.

The Conference was sponsored by the Montenegrin Police Authority, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA).

In his opening address, Prime Minister Igor Lukšić said that cyber crime poses a great threat to modern societies, especially given that terrorists nowadays use this type of crime as their logistics.

Therefore, the Government is committed to responding properly to this challenge, as well as to organised crime, corruption and other serious crimes. To achieve these objectives, he continued, it is necessary to provide full involvement of all social stakeholders, as well as regional and international partners, making reference to SEPCA as a good example of these endeavours and a basis for the future activities.

“Montenegro’s active police participation in Interpol, intensive activities related to the signing of cooperation agreement with Europol, along with further strengthening of police capacities guarantee further achievements in combating organised crime”, PM Lukšić remarked.

Montenegro has proven itself a credible partner, which has also been acknowledged by the organisation of the conference and the distinguished guests that took part, PM Lukšić concluded.

Ronald K. Noble, Interpol's Secretary General, remarked that cyber crime knows no boundaries and poses a threat to developing and diverse countries of the Southeast Europe.

He also announced the setting up of the Cyber Fusion Centre in 2014.

Mr Noble in particular underlined the fact that Interpol has become a strong partner to SEPCA, which is currently successfully presided by Montenegro.

In close collaboration of the two organisations, Interpol has made its global services, including information on stolen vehicles, stolen and lost IDs, and names of wanted criminals, accessible to police officers throughout the region which made a great contribution to global security.

In 2009 Interpol launched the project entitled BESA, establishing a network of police officials and targeting organised crime groups in South East Europe. The project has resulted in the apprehension of more than 400 persons and seizure of more than 1 tone of drugs, Interpol's Secretary General stressed.