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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Police reform, implementation of EU standards

Belgrade, 4 January 2009

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic said that the Ministry of Interior’s priorities in the upcoming period will be the preservation of stability and security, the implementation of police reform and EU standards and the fight against organised crime.

Dacic said that the police have implemented several changes at various levels, but there will not be any dismissals.

The Minister pointed out that the Ministry has incurred great costs regarding the issuance of new documents and does not receive any revenues from traffic fees and security for public events.

Dacic specified that the police carry out on sight investigations and take care of the security of judges and prosecutors free of charge.

He said that according to the law on the confiscation of illegally obtained property, witness protection and the Financial Investigations Unit should have been placed under the authority of the judiciary and not the police.

The Minister said that the status of policemen should be considerably improved.

According to him, the average salary of policemen is in line with the average salary.

Dacic pointed out that the issue of state borders is very important and Serbia’s borders must be in line with EU standards, adding that €10 to €20 million must be set aside in this respect.

The Minister expects that more citizens will change their personal documents, i.e. take new passports, in the upcoming period and stressed that this is an important precondition for visa liberalisation.

He said that Serbia has good police cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly with former Yugoslav republics and Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece.

The Minister stressed that the Serbian police is a key factor of police cooperation in the entire region and its aim is to fulfil all preconditions for visa liberalization.

Dacic pointed out that the police aim to improve its relations with Montenegro by signing a dual citizenship agreement.

The minister announced that a new White Book concerning organised crime will be soon drafted, in order to classify criminal groups and help arrest criminals.