BELGRADE, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — Serbia should advance relations with Interpol to have a ready response to current global threats of terrorism, organized crime and cyber crime, Serbian officials agreed with visiting Interpol (the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)) President Meng Hongwei on Tuesday in Belgrade.
Meng, who is also the Vice Minster of Public Security of China, arrived in Belgrade to meet Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.
According to a government press release, Stefanovic said after the meeting that Serbia has been one of the most preferred partner countries to Interpol for the fifth year in a row. According to him, 149 people were arrested on Serbian international warrants, while 67 were arrested in Serbia on warrants from other countries.
Meng commended Serbia’s contribution in Interpol’s activities, stressing the importance it has in the region and internationally in the area of public safety, saying that Interpol wished to advance cooperation with Serbia, because “it is one of the key member countries”.
According to the President’s cabinet, Meng also explained to President Vucic that Interpol was interested in strengthening cooperation with Serbia because of its key role in the region and it will help to improve its security capacities.
President Vucic said the deeper cooperation will contribute to the joint fight against terrorism, organized crime and other security risks — such as the abuse of information technologies and cybercrime.
He said Serbia was also interested in strengthening police cooperation with China, mentioning his upcoming visit to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping, which would give a significant contribution to the comprehensive strategic partnership of the two countries.
(Photo: EPA/WALLACE WOON)