Serbia, Montenegro to set up "joint anti-crime teams"

BELGRADE Serbian and Montenegrin deputy PMs Aleksandar Vucic and Dusko Markovic say that the relations between the two countries "advanced in the past eight months." They also announced the formation of joint task forces for fighting crime and corruption. Serbia, Montenegro to set up "joint anti-crime teams" At a joint news conference, Vucic and Markovic said the relations between the two countries serve as a good example of cooperation to many in the region, describing them as "friendly and honest." Talking about the formation of joint Serbian and Montenegrin task forces for investigating organized crime and corruption, Vucic said they also discussed individual cases and that certain mechanisms are already in place which are important to the rule of law in both countries. "We have shown trust by extraditing offenders and this kind of cooperation is the most concrete. Creating specialized mixed teams, which will be made up of representatives of police and security services, is the most concrete cooperation which can be established only between countries which are close and share the same problems," said Vucic. Markovic said he and Vucic shared experiences concerning the rule of law and the fight against organized crime, which represents the greatest challenge. Markovic recalled that Serbia has extradited 28 persons suspected of crimes to Montenegro, while Montenegro has extradited more than 20 people to Serbia. "We have not only good cooperation but also mutual trust, which is why we will soon form joint operative teams for fighting organized crime and corruption," said Markovic. He noted that not all cooperation options are being exploited and said the two countries will step up their economic cooperation, because it is illogical for Montenegro to have better cooperation with some other countries than with its closest neighbor. "The government of Serbia has the ability, and political wisdom to, at this important historic moment for the country and the citizens, give the best answer. Montenegro will support what is Serbia's interest, and will do nothing to jeopardize that interest," Markovic stated. He stressed that Montenegro strongly supports Serbia in achieving its national priorities, i.e. European integration. "Serbia is the most important factor in the region, and if it is taking seven-league strides, then Montenegro will also reap the benefits," said Markovic. On the subject of Sunday's presidential elections in Montenegro, Markovic said: "The results must be confirmed legally and must not be brought into question. This should not and must not lead to political instability." (Tanjug) Tanjug

Serbia, Montenegro to set up "joint anti-crime teams"

At a joint news conference, Vučić and Marković said the relations between the two countries serve as a good example of cooperation to many in the region, describing them as "friendly and honest."

Talking about the formation of joint Serbian and Montenegrin task forces for investigating organized crime and corruption, Vučić said they also discussed individual cases and that certain mechanisms are already in place which are important to the rule of law in both countries.

"We have shown trust by extraditing offenders and this kind of cooperation is the most concrete. Creating specialized mixed teams, which will be made up of representatives of police and security services, is the most concrete cooperation which can be established only between countries which are close and share the same problems," said Vučić.

Marković said he and Vučić shared experiences concerning the rule of law and the fight against organized crime, which represents the greatest challenge.

Marković recalled that Serbia has extradited 28 persons suspected of crimes to Montenegro, while Montenegro has extradited more than 20 people to Serbia.

"We have not only good cooperation but also mutual trust, which is why we will soon form joint operative teams for fighting organized crime and corruption," said Marković.

He noted that not all cooperation options are being exploited and said the two countries will step up their economic cooperation, because it is illogical for Montenegro to have better cooperation with some other countries than with its closest neighbor.

"The government of Serbia has the ability, and political wisdom to, at this important historic moment for the country and the citizens, give the best answer. Montenegro will support what is Serbia's interest, and will do nothing to jeopardize that interest," Marković stated.

He stressed that Montenegro strongly supports Serbia in achieving its national priorities, i.e. European integration.

"Serbia is the most important factor in the region, and if it is taking seven-league strides, then Montenegro will also reap the benefits," said Marković.

On the subject of Sunday's presidential elections in Montenegro, Marković said: "The results must be confirmed legally and must not be brought into question. This should not and must not lead to political instability."