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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Each step forward in EU accession process positive for Serbia

Belgrade/Salzburg, 27 August 2010

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic stated today that “police diplomacy” is very often a pioneering force for establishing and developing good relations between countries.

Dacic, who is taking part in the 10th Salzburg Forum ministerial conference in Austria, said addressing the press that it is a great honour for him to represent the Western Balkans next to the host of the conference Austrian Interior Minister Maria Fekter and Katarina Kresal Interior Minister of Slovenia, which currently holds presidency of the Forum.

This is a great recognition of Serbia’s recent efforts and achievements, he commented, adding that police cooperation and cooperation between interior ministries which often takes precedence over relations in other areas should be kept in mind.

Dacic pointed out the importance of projects for strengthening police cooperation in the region. He explained that one of the results achieved by the Forum is the Police Cooperation Convention for South East Europe, which serves as a legal basis for police cooperation between countries in the region.

This cooperation is most advanced between Croatia and Serbia, he noted, adding that a few days ago, owing to an international agreement, member of Zemun Clan Sretko Kalinic, charged for taking part in the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, was extradited to Serbia.

Visa liberalisation has produced a lot of positive results. One of these is the public’s great interest in obtaining biometric passports. Over two million biometric passports have been issued in Serbia so far, he affirmed.

Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia support visa liberalization for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania as this would be a step forward in the integration of the entire region, he emphasised.

Western Balkan countries should also lift visa restriction and make it possible for their citizens to travel with identity cards, he asserted.

It has been observed that the misuse of visa liberalisation has lessened, along with a reduction in crimes committed by Serbian citizens in EU countries, remarked Dacic.

After initial problems, in cooperation with Macedonia, problems related to false asylum claims have also been overcome, he stressed.

The removal of visa restrictions has shown the Serbian people that every step forward in the EU accession process is producing positive results, highlighted Dacic.

Serbia has worked hard to further its EU integration process and in order to establish high standards in the area of interior affairs, which were introduced through visa liberalisation as well, he underlined.

Dacic expressed his hope that Western Balkan countries will become members of the Salzburg Forum in the near future and will be able to contribute to wider regional stability.

Our joint goal is peace and security for all people and as little crime and corruption as possible, he stated.

Speaking about the Hypo Alpe-Adria Bank case, Dacic confirmed that he will exchange information with head of the Austrian criminal police division regarding the matter.

The Serbian police director and officers, in line with their duties, will develop further communication in order to compare existing data and to investigate allegations where Serbia is in question, concluded Dacic.