MOI LEGISLATION COOPERATION MEMORANDUM SIGNED

BELGRADE, JANUARY 27 /SRNA/ – The Ministers of the Interior of Republika Srpska and Serbia Željko Budimir and Ivica Dačić signed in Belgrade a memorandum on cooperation in the field of legislation between Srpska and Serbia, the implementation of which should help further harmonize legal systems in the areas of policing and other internal affairs, procedures, and legislative regulations.

After signing the document, Budimir told reporters that the harmonization of regulations is extremely important due to the fight against crime and joint action and the undertaking of all measures that should contribute to faster and more efficient resolution, particularly of serious forms of crime. He reminded that Republika Srpska has an Agreement on Special Parallel Relations with Serbia, as well as a number of memorandums aimed at strengthening those ties, with the goal of ensuring the best possible security environment for citizens. "Crime is transnational, and borders do not exist in that sense. That is why we must function in this way. Any form of strengthening cooperation between the police, the ministries of the interior of Republika Srpska and Serbia, certainly helps not only Srpska and Serbia, but the entire region," said Budimir, who led the delegation of the Republika Srpska Ministry of the Interior. He expressed hope that earlier memorandums would also be upgraded and that their implementation would begin at full capacity. Budimir reminded of cooperation at the strategic, legislative, and operational levels between police forces, various services, and agencies, and pointed out the importance of training and experience that the Republika Srpska Ministry of the Interior receives from Serbia, for which he expressed great gratitude. As an example, he cited the "Find Me" project, a system for notifying the public about missing minors, which the Republika Srpska Ministry of the Interior developed together with the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, with Serbia providing both technical and legislative assistance. Budimir also pointed to cooperation in the fight against terrorism and all other radical elements present in the region. "The migrant crisis has also brought us closer, because we knew that we could address such a problem only jointly. Therefore, cooperation in all areas will certainly continue to strengthen," Budimir said.