Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić stated that during today’s Defense and Security Council meeting, he recommended to the Presidents of the State and Government, Jakov Milatović and Milojko Spajić, the amendment of the National Security Strategy to address the political impact of organized crime and to classify transnational drug trafficking cartels as terrorist entities.

“Considering the security risks and threats, along with the considerable influence of transnational organized crime groups on state institutions, I proposed the urgent adoption of a dedicated Law on Combating Terrorism. This legislation would equip state bodies with enhanced legal tools in the fight against terrorism, facilitate significant public policy implementations, and remove obstacles to fulfilling our obligations under Chapters 23 and 24 in our EU negotiations,” Mandić announced on Iks.

“In formulating this law, we will involve our expert community, distinguished security specialists, and citizen representatives, adhering to the best international practices and experiences, particularly emphasizing cooperation with the USA, where direct collaboration with relevant state bodies and security agencies should be established,” he added.

Mandić also highlighted the necessity for the Special Police Department and the Chief Special Prosecutor to transition to new, appropriate facilities quickly to address concerns regarding the efficiency of these agencies’ operations.

“The Council members welcomed this initiative enthusiastically, and we collectively agreed to focus on it at our upcoming session, which will take place shortly. We also plan to use the time ahead to discuss this initiative with representatives from the European Union and the United States,” he stated.

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