Nešić: Direct Europol communication established with RS Ministry of Internal Affairs

(Patria) - Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nenad Nešić announced that today
an extension, in terms of direct communication from the National/Joint contact point for cooperation with Europol, has been implemented towards the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska (RS MoI).

“This concludes all unfounded and politicized stories by Rama Isak and various Ramas in BiH, who, simply put, did not want or did not know how to read the official acts regulating this area (Agreement on Operational and Strategic Cooperation between BiH and Europol, Provisional Decision on Establishing a System of Cooperation and Information Exchange, Instruction on Procedures for Implementing the Strategic Cooperation Agreement, and the Rulebook on the Work of the N/ZKT).

All these acts grant the right to competent authorities, which constitute the N/ZKT, and which are recognized as competent by Europol (State Investigation and Protection Agency, Border Police of BiH, Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Cantonal Ministries of Internal Affairs, RS Ministry of Internal Affairs, Brčko District Police, Service for Foreigners' Affairs, Investigation Department of the Indirect Taxation Authority), to obtain a direct link with Europol under certain conditions prescribed by Europol.

I have repeatedly emphasized that my role is to enable everyone to exercise this right, without infringing on anyone else's rights. Likewise, I have an obligation not to allow any blocking or obstruction by anyone that will affect the work of BiH's competent authorities in cooperation with Europol.

Our greatest foreign policy goal is EU membership, which would make us part of a common European space in the fight against all types of crime and all forms of threats. Cooperation with Europol is key to achieving this goal.

Since the establishment of the N/ZKT, the number of exchanged information has increased manifold. I want to thank the representatives of the EU Delegation who recognized the efforts of the Ministry of Security of BiH, who assessed the establishment of the N/ZKT as the brightest spot for BiH in 2023, and who gave us full support in respecting and implementing all rules governing cooperation with Europol. I owe great gratitude to the Director of Europol, Catherine De Bolle, and her deputy, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, for the support they are giving us. Finally, I am also grateful to all representatives of BiH's competent authorities who make up the N/ZKT and who, despite some differing opinions, contributed to the realization of this activity after the meeting held on March 12, 2024.

We must all continue to be persistent on this path. Activities are underway to grant extensions to all competent authorities that have submitted requests and meet the conditions for it. I support this activity, and I invite and encourage other competent authorities to submit requests and meet the conditions for obtaining an extension, as this will increase our operational efficiency and mobility. This activity will significantly increase the security of BiH citizens and present BiH itself in a good light.

To all of you who have tried to block this process, I say that you are wasting both my and your time in vain, that you are confusing the citizens of BiH and disgracing BiH on the international stage. Your efforts are futile,” Nešić said.