Lazar Šćepanović, the Acting Director of the Police Administration, took part in the inaugural General Assembly of the South East European Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA), which was organized under the Albanian presidency. He was a featured speaker at three thematic panels during the event.

As reported by the Police Directorate, at the first panel focusing on the challenges posed by illegal migration, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling, Šćepanović highlighted the significance of the General Assembly. He remarked that it serves as a platform to address crucial security challenges in the Southeast European region, particularly regarding regional cooperation. He underscored the necessity of collective efforts to bolster regional initiatives, recognizing SEPCA as a trustworthy partner in international security matters.

Šćepanović noted that Montenegro has prioritized illegal migration and human trafficking in its updated national Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA 2024). He mentioned substantial progress made by the Police Directorate in identifying and prosecuting offenders of these crimes, thanks to a strategic partnership with Europol and collaborative activities within the EMPACT framework.

In terms of migration policy, he added that Montenegro is aligning its regulatory framework with European standards, with special emphasis on conducting thorough criminal investigations. As a success story of international collaboration, he pointed to the “Alibaba” case, which was implemented with support from Europol, Frontex, and the EU4FAST project, showcasing Montenegro’s active role in dismantling smuggling networks along the Balkan route. This commitment further reaffirms the Police Directorate’s dedication to upholding European values.

During the second panel, focused on combating organized crime and enhancing regional cooperation via joint investigation teams, Šćepanović stressed that tackling this security challenge requires robust institutional collaboration at national, regional, and international levels. In this regard, SEPCA is recognized as an essential platform facilitating more effective cooperation.

He also pointed out that the Police Administration of Montenegro is wholly dedicated to fostering partnership relations, with key components such as information sharing, database interoperability, establishing a single international contact point, and coordinated actions. These elements elevate the Montenegrin police to a relevant and reliable partner in the fight against transnational organized crime, as evidenced by the latest European Commission reports.

Šćepanović indicated that due to its geographical position, Montenegro is often a transit route for the smuggling of narcotics and other illegal goods, highlighting the pressing need for a regional approach.

Despite facing numerous challenges, he announced that the Police Administration of Montenegro has made notable strides in combating all forms of organized crime in recent times, achieving measurable outcomes through enhanced police collaboration, adherence to European standards, and intensive international coordination.

In this context, he asserted that regional cooperation and amicable neighborly relations are fundamental prerequisites for progress in the European integration process, with the Police Directorate remaining committed to maintaining intensive cooperation with regional and international partners.

At the third panel, focused on cybercrime, Šćepanović underscored its rapid evolution and the complexity of modern threats. Montenegro has identified this area as a national priority in combatting serious and organized crime. He recounted Montenegro’s experience as a target of multiple cyberattacks aimed at critical infrastructure, noting the rise in phishing and smishing incidents affecting banking service users, alongside a growing number of investment frauds linked to cryptocurrencies.

He stated that effective cybercrime investigations necessitate technical expertise, a prompt response, and legal harmonization, with primary challenges being the slow international processes for data and legal assistance, discrepancies in legislative frameworks, and restricted access to private sector data.

Within this framework, he emphasized that regional collaboration is crucial, with SEPCA serving as a vital mechanism for coordinating efforts against cyber threats. Additionally, the Western Balkans Cyber Capability Center in Podgorica, recognized within the Berlin Process, plays a significant role.

Šćepanović highlighted the imperative to enhance legislative, operational, human, technical, and financial capacities, as well as to train specialized teams and formulate joint strategies to ensure a cohesive response. He noted that the swift, secure, and efficient exchange of threat data is vital for timely responses.

In his concluding remarks, Šćepanović asserted that SEPCA must continue to bolster its role through strategic planning and new initiatives. The Police Administration of Montenegro will steadfastly align with the principles of effective international cooperation, laying the groundwork for successfully combating all forms of organized crime. He expressed hopes that collaborative efforts will fortify the cohesion of police services across the region and yield a unified response to contemporary security challenges.

News