Slovenia and Republika Srpska Discuss Police Cooperation
Slovenian Interior Minister Dragutin Mate met at Otocec on Friday Stanislav Cadjo, interior minister of Republika Srpska, the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The meeting was dedicated to strengthening cooperation in various areas and presenting Slovenia's experience in joining the EU, the ministers said.
Mate said he was happy with the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which he believes formally means the start of Bosnia's accession to the EU.
Bosnia is experiencing an important period in which it has to tap into constructive spirit and be cooperative in order to fulfil the conditions for continuing on its path to Europe, Mate said, emphasising the importance of the country's unity, independence and territorial integrity.
Mate also expressed Slovenia's full support and readiness to pass on its experience to help Bosnia implement reforms in internal security, which is important for the process of its accession to the EU, as well as for Slovenia's security.
Mate and Cadjo also discussed the fight against organised crime in the strategically important region of the Western Balkans, saying that it was of crucial for the police forces of the two countries to successfully tackle security challenges of the modern era.
Relations between Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, including its entity Republika Srpska, are characterised by intensive and fruitful cooperation at various levels. The meeting was also a good opportunity for confirming such cooperation, the ministers agreed.
The pair also paid attention to boosting cooperation between individual operative police services and prevention of crime on the so-called Balkan route for trafficking drugs and people.
Mate acquainted his counterpart with the current data on illegal migration and Slovenia's activities in the fight against terrorism and organised cross-border crime. Cadjo meanwhile presented an assessment of the security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in the broader region.
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