National Security Council holds its sixth session

The sixth session of the National Security Council was held, attended by members of the Council as well as additional participants: Chief Special Prosecutor Vladimir Novović, Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković, Chief of the Office of the Prime Minister Branko Krvavac, Prime Minister’s Defence and Security Adviser Todor Goranović, Director of the Police Administration Zoran Brđanin, and Acting Assistant Director of the Sector for Combating Crime Lazar Šćepanović.

The session's agenda included the following key topics:

1. The current security situation in the country, with a focus on the tourist season and activities to prevent illegal migration and human trafficking across Montenegrin territory.
2. The report on the work of the Bureau for Operational Coordination of Intelligence and Security Agencies for the period from 7 December 2023 to 7 June 2024.
3. The proposal for an updated list of national priorities in the fight against serious and organized crime.

The session was attended by the majority of Council members, ensuring that valid decisions could be made.

Key discussions and conclusions:

• It was noted that the security situation in the country is stable, with ongoing measures and activities to improve security and protect the national borders. Ensuring the safety of tourists during the tourist season was a challenge that was successfully managed through the coordinated efforts of all security services. There is also a need to improve traffic infrastructure to address congestion and enhance the safety of all road users.
• The report on the work of the Bureau for Operational Coordination of Intelligence and Security Agencies for the period from 7 December 2023 to 7 June 2024 was adopted.
• The proposal for an updated list of national priorities in the fight against organized and serious crime, which includes nine areas, was adopted.

The list includes the following areas: activities of high-risk organized crime groups, drug trafficking, corruption with a special focus on high-level corruption, illegal migration and human trafficking, smuggling of excise goods, cybercrime, terrorism and extremism, violence and the misuse of firearms, and the new national priority of environmental crime. Environmental crime has become a significant security challenge in Montenegro, as the expansion of illegal activities in areas such as illegal logging, unauthorized construction, and illegal gravel extraction from riverbeds has not only caused economic damage but also severe environmental problems, significantly impacting the environment and biodiversity.

In addition to the topics presented to the public in the previous press release, the Council reviewed a number of other issues and adopted several conclusions within its jurisdiction during its sixth session.