Minister Nuhodžić speaks about migration, terrorism, arms trafficking, internal security at EU-Western Balkans Forum

Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia (16 December 2016) -- At the EU-Western Balkans Forum, taking place in Brdo pri Kranju, ministers of justice and interior affairs of the Western Balkan countries, together with colleagues from the European Union, exchanged views on various topics in the fields of justice, freedom and security.

Taking part in the sessions dealing with internal affairs, Interior Minister of Montenegro Mevludin Nuhodžić informed the participants of the forum about the activities Montenegro has implemented in the field of migration and arms trafficking. The forum also discussed further development and management approaches in the field of internal security in the Western Balkans.

Considering the issue of migration, Minister Nuhodžić put special emphasis on effective border management, which is one of the key segments, not only in the management of migration flows, but also in the fight against organised cross-border crime. In that regard, he said that Montenegro has prepared the Schengen Action Plan, which defines the next steps necessary for the harmonisation of national legislation with the Schengen acquis, reminding of the EU projects and programmes aimed at modernisation of the Montenegrin border crossings and improvement of the capacity of the border police.

As to the issue of terrorism, Minister Nuhodžić noted that the fight against this phenomenon, as well as all forms of extremism and radicalism, is one of the country's priorities. Montenegro has created all the legal requirements for strict punishment of all aspects of incitement, mobilisation and participation of its citizens in foreign battlefields.

Speaking at the panel debate dedicated to combating arms trafficking, the Interior Minister concentrated on cooperation between the countries of the region in order to adequately cope with this problem, strengthening capacity to combat illegal production, acquisition, possession, trafficking and smuggling of arms, as well as all other abuses and negative phenomena. He reminded that the Montenegrin police took part in the regional operation "Balkan trigger", which was conducted in coordination with the INTERPOL, and voiced Montenegro's commitment to the continuation of the operation targeting organised criminal groups in the Western Balkans dealing with arms trafficking.