Minister Nuhodžić at ceremony of Day of Interior: Ministry and Police Directorate will serve and protect highest values of multi-ethnic, democratic and European Montenegro

PHOTO: Ceremony regarding Day of the Interior

Minister of the Interior Mevludin Nuhodžić said tonight on the occasion of the Day of the Interior that members of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate have put their hearts and souls into the processes that led to free, independent and democratic Montenegro, and that the Ministry and the Police Directorate will serve and protect the highest values of the multi-ethnic, democratic and European Montenegro.

Being aware of the responsibility that we, as members of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate, took over, we see this holiday as a day in which – with our friends and associates – we will summarise the annual results. We will also recall all those zealous workers who contributed to the affirmation of our Ministry. To each one of them we owe gratitude for their commitment to their work and commitment to the state of Montenegro and its values. You have put your hearts and souls into the processes that led to free, independent and democratic Montenegro and its overall security. Therefore, 2 October is the date that obliges us to contribute to the strengthening of civic principles and democracy. On the other hand, this date challenges us to create better conditions for the dignified performance of demanding tasks entrusted to us. Building a mutual trust is both our goal and an obligation. We want to give our Montenegro a lasting legacy of peace and stability. The Government of Montenegro has no important task and more humane duty than this one – Minister Nuhodžić said at the solemn academy organised on the occasion of the Day of the Interior.

Ministry of Interior strengthens the foundations of state

The Minister said that the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate work on a daily basis to achieve strategic state interests, that the ideal is a free individual and by cherishing this value the Ministry and the Police Directorate strengthen the "foundations of democratic and European Montenegro, which is a safe home for all its citizens, a multi-ethnic home, open and safe".

Strengthening institutions is still a challenge for the Government of Montenegro, which we will address efficiently and readily. Just as our respond to any type of disruption of the foundation of society will be concrete, principled and long-term sustainable. The Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate will work in all fields on building a positive image based on the achieved results. We are protectors of the system and guardians of constitutionally guaranteed values whose accessibility must be provided at every moment. Our competence is the best guarantor of the preservation and protection of all our citizens, their rights and their justified ambition to build their living and working environment at the level of European standards – the Minister of the Interior said.



Speaking about personnel, Minister Nuhodžić said that human resources are regularly refreshed and trained, and that it is regularly invested in institutions, both from the state budget and through international programmes.

Our Ministry is recognised by good cooperation in many projects organised by relevant international institutions. We have used this opportunity in a great way and we will use every support – material, personnel or any other – to strengthen the security system – the Minister of the Interior stated, adding that the Ministry is solving the issue of working and living conditions of employees.

The recently signed agreement with trade union partners in this sector will help in solving the housing issues under favourable conditions for many of our employees throughout Montenegro. They have earned this with their relation towards work and the state. Such projects will also continue in the future, making everything that the members of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate feel proud with their law enforcement ID cards, equally in the north and the south, in Podgorica or in the Old Royal Capital, on the roads or at borders, in offices or during the most difficult physical tasks – the Minister of the Interior emphasised.

Expressing gratitude to the citizens for understanding the law enforcement activities, the Minister of the Interior told the citizens that the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Directorate will be serve and protect the highest values of the multi-ethnic, democratic and European Montenegro.

Director Veljović to criminals: You will feel our strength and efficiency

Director of the Police Directorate Dr. Veselin Veljović, who recently took over duty, told criminals that they would feel the efficiency and strength of the security system.

"From this place, I will also address those who do not think well to themselves, neither the citizens nor the state and tell them the truth - it is clear, in the world of crime you are opponents of law, the interests of the safety of citizens and the community. You will feel the efficiency and strength of the security system. We will not allow you to plan the gravest crimes and threaten citizens' safety in Montenegro. We will search for you at every point of this planet until you are brought to justice. We will initiate procedures for verifying the acquired property of persons of interest, their families and related persons and together with other bodies, we will initiate procedures for seizure of property in accordance with the legal procedure, knowing money acquired through criminal activity gives you criminal strength and power. These messages are not declarative, but essential, in a clear intention to bring criminals to justice, to confirm that crime is not stronger than the state and cannot have the influence and power of the state, as shown by the results that the police organisation achieved in the past period,"- Director Veljović said.

Leaders of organised crime must not return to Montenegro

The Director of the Police Directorate pointed that the organised structure of organised criminal groups were carefully planned and efficiently executed, and their leaders should not return to the state. "Our goal is that they all end up where their place is, in criminal institutions, with the prison sentences they deserve for the acts they did. I expect all police Officers to carry out their tasks bravely, professionally and teamly, promoting the positive values of a Montenegrin policeman, respecting history, showing loyalty to his service, citizens and the state, not complaining about his life in that mission. The results that have been achieved, and which in the future need to be even better, are merit of all operational units of the Police, Sector, Security and Security Departments, the Forensic Center, the Special Anti-Terror Unit, the Special Police Units and other organisational units. Aware of the success but also the benevolent criticism, we analyse the achieved results and find out which parts of the system do not give the expected results. With personnel and other changes, we do everything to strengthen these units and make them more efficient,"- the Director of the Police Directorate stressed, concluding that the danger to crime is not an individual, but a proactive and systematic response from the institutions.

Dr. Veselin Veljović also mentioned the progress in resolving life issues of the employees in the security sector, expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Government for unreserved support in resolving issues of strategic importance for the development and improvement of the capacity of the police organisation.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Duško Marković, Speaker of the Parliament Ivan Brajović, Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović, ministers Osman Nurković, Pavle Radulović, Dragica Sekulić, Damir Šehović and Marija Vučinović, President of the Constitutional Court Dragoljub Drašković, President of the Supreme Court Vesna Medenica, Chief of the General Staff Dragutin Dakić, Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Serbia Nebojša Stefanović, Director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Perica Stanić, representatives of the diplomatic corps and others.