Montenegro, United Kingdom, to upgrade cooperation in criminal matters related to taxes, customs

London, the United Kingdom (11 November 2014) – Montenegro and the United Kingdom signed earlier today in London the Memorandum on cooperation in criminal matters related to taxes and customs duties and similar matters of mutual interest. The memorandum forms the basis for practical cooperation in the fields of rule of law and the fight against organised crime, tax and customs crimes, especially illegal trafficking of tobacco products and related financial crime, Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković and representatives of the UK government underlined following the signing ceremony.

DPM Marković added the memorandum came as a result of an intense and successful cooperation between the two countries in these areas.

Financial Secretary in UK Finance Ministry David Gouke stated the memorandum will enable the two administrations to become even more successful in combating all forms of organised crime in the United Kingdom and Montenegro.

DPM Marković and Financial Secretary Gouke emphasised that the signing of the memorandum gives the two states a realistic chance to enrich their excellent political relations with intensive cooperation at the operational level in the areas of common interest.

Today's signing ceremony was preceded by DPM Marković’s meeting with senior officials of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, and the National Crime Agency, where successful joint activities of law enforcement agencies of the two countries at the operational level was discussed. The meeting exchanged the examples of good practice and agreed on organisation of training programmes for Montenegro’s police and customs personnel in the UK agencies.