Gymnich: Through cooperation and coordinated action against terrorism and radical extremism

Bratislava, Slovakia (3 September 2016) - “At a time when Europe and the whole world are facing the growing terrorism and radical extremism, it is very important to maintain solidarity and, through coordinated action, to join forces in order to increase safety and to maintain peace and stability on the continent”, it was announced at the Gymnich meeting, held in Bratislava on 2 and 3 September.

High representatives of EU and ministers of foreign affairs of candidate countries for EU membership attended the meeting, which was devoted to a discussion on countering terrorism as well as the prevention and combating radicalism. Upon the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and also Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajcak, the meeting was participated by a State Secretary for European Integration and Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Aleksandar Andrija Pejović on behalf of Montenegro.

Ambassador Pejović welcomed the new strategic framework of the EU`s foreign and security policy, which pays special attention to the fight against terrorism and preventing violent extremism. He also conveyed the full commitment of Montenegro to the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, and respect for the basic values on which EU is founded, especially democracy, security and human rights. He pointed out that Montenegro is dedicated to this issue through the implementation of obligations from Chapter 24 – Justice, freedom and security, and through the implementation of activities from national strategic documents, i.e. strengthening the legal and institutional framework and improvement of the administrative capacity for combating terrorism and preventing violent extremism.

“We brought a Strategy for the Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing 2015-2018, as well as the Strategy for Combating Violent Extremism 2016-2018, adopted the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code that is in accordance with the UN Resolution on foreign fighters and which predicts the prison sentence for Montenegrin citizens who participate in the conflicts on the battlefields abroad, so thereby we have strengthened the capacities of the Special Prosecutor`s Office and the police to handle cases in the field of terrorism, organized crime, money laundering, arms smuggling and financial investigations”, Ambassador Pejović said.

On the sidelines of the Gymnich meeting, Ambassador Pejović had several bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of EU member states and informed them about the progress that Montenegro achieved in the accession process to the EU, as well as the tasks and plans for the upcoming period. The meetings were an opportunity to exchange views on bilateral technical assistance and promotion of cooperation in the field of European integration. The officials welcomed the results of Montenegro on all fronts and stressed that Montenegro can count on the continued support in the fulfillment of all obligations on its way to full membership in the EU.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration