Diplomatic fight against Pristina's Interpol membership: Minister presents arguments to ambassadors

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic has informed Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia Iztok Jarc about the reasons why so-called Kosovo cannot become a member of Interpol, noting that the candidacy for membership itself leads to division within this professional police organization, the Serbian MUP (Interior Ministry) said.

Stefanovic and Jarc also discussed cooperation between the police forces of the two countries thus far, as well as its further improvement.

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Stefanovic particularly referred to cooperation between criminal investigations police, which, he said, has resulted in numerous successful operations and seizure of large quantities of narcotics, and discovery of drug production laboratories.

Stefanovic also stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, which is realized through operational working meetings and regional conferences.

Ambassador Jarc pointed out that Slovenia's police are interested in participating in joint projects with their Serbian counterparts for the purpose of our country's progress under Chapter 24 (of EU membership negotiations) - i.e., Justice, Freedom, Security, a statement said.

Photo: Serbian MUP

"ALLOWING KOSOVO TO JOIN INTERPOL WOULD LEAD TO ABUSES"

Also on Wednesday, Stefanovic met with Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Dimas Jesus Alvarenga Guerra and discussed so-called Kosovo's request to join Interpol.

Stefanovic informed the ambassador about Serbia's law enforcement, legal and political arguments against the request, and stressed that no changes had occurred since last year's Interpol General Assembly in Dubai, which would lead to abandoning the decision made at the time not to allow so-called Kosovo to join.

The minister emphasized that it is clear a possible admission of so-called Kosovo to Interpol would have far-reaching consequences and would, among other things, undoubtedly lead to abuses of the databases of this international police organization, creating opportunities for confidential information to fall into the hands of criminals and terrorists.

Ambassador Guerra thanked Serbia for its longstanding friendship and stressed that Venezuela respects Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Stefanovic and Guerra also discussed the continuation of cooperation between the police forces of the two countries in the fight against all forms of crime, and the possibilities for its improvement.

(Telegraf.rs)