Ministers sign anti-crime agreement

BELGRADE - Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic and Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic signed on Friday an agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance, Customs Administration and the Interior Ministry (MUP) of Serbia, aimed to promote cooperation between these institutions in the fight against corruption and crime.

The agreement is intended to help us fight smuggling, money laundering and other offences. It will enable more efficient information exchange and facilitate the process of collecting evidence to prove the offences in court, Stefanovic said after the signing.

The cooperation under the agreement is to be carried out by the Customs Administration on behalf of the Finance Ministry and the Police Directorate, Criminal Police in particular, on behalf of MUP, he added

Stefanovic pointed out that the agreement will also facilitate cooperation in the enforcement of the law on public procurement, integrated border management and prevention of smuggling.

The cooperation between these institutions is already very good, noted Stefanovic, pointing to their latest joint action that resulted in the seizure of over 1,300 tons of tobacco.

"That is more than it was done in this country for the past 10 or 15 years," said Stefanovic.

Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic said that the agreement will help to prevent abuse related to the grey economy and violation of law.

"This is a signal that the government is strongly committed to reducing the room for corruption, abuse and grey economy," said Vujovic.

Photo Ministry of Interior