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Key Messages
Ministerial Conference on Contemporary
Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Key Messages
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary
Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Published by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed
Forces (DCAF) in the framework of the Swiss Regional Police
Cooperation Programme (SPCP) 2012 – 2016 funded by the Swiss
Government.
© SPCP 2014
Layout by Pitch Black Graphic Design, Berlin/The Hague
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Key Messages
Executive Summary
With the support of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control
of Armed Forces (DCAF), Switzerland and Croatia co-organised the
“Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional
Police Cooperation” that was held in Opatija, Croatia on 8 April 2014.
Having supported police cooperation in the Western Balkans since
1990, Switzerland approved funds for a new programme in 2012 in
order to continue assisting countries in the Western Balkans in their
efforts to efficiently and effectively fight organised crime, thus improving the security of citizens in the Western Balkans region and throughout Europe.
The Swiss Regional Police Cooperation Programme (SPCP 2012 2016) is a framework with a project fund to co-finance regional initiatives. It supports the implementation of the Police Cooperation
Convention (PCC-SEE), the UNODC Container Programme, the development of Law Enforcement Coordination Units (ILECUS), a regional
capacity and cooperation project for border police (implemented by the
International Organisation of Migration (IOM)), and two projects on
Enhancing Capacities for Strategic Analysis and Strategic Assessments,
coordinated by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE).
The conference took place within the framework of the SPCP 2012 16 and during the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship.
It was also held back-to-back with the 11th PCC SEE Committee of
Ministers Meeting (CoM) that was organised under the auspices of the
Chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina and was closely followed
by the 10th DCAF Annual Ministerial Review Conference on Border
Security in South East Europe, (BSC), hosted by Croatia. In total, 70
participants, Ministers, senior officials, high-ranking law enforcement
officials, police and border security experts, and representatives of
international and regional organisations attended the conference.
The event provided a platform for an exchange of views on current
issues in the field of policing and regional police cooperation. Partic-
ipants debated and shared their experience of policing in multiethnic societies linked with international police cooperation in the
context of combatting transnational serious and organised crime.
The ministers and senior representatives identified the benefits and challenges in these fields and provided suggestions on
how to strengthen their cooperation. Political support was considered a key element here at an operational level.
These were the conference’s
key messages:
•Smooth police cooperation is essential in order to
effectively fight against organised crime;
•Policing in a multicultural society requires up-to-date
skills and the trust of the population;
•Migration partnership – a thoroughly holistic approach
– is key for managing regular and irregular migration;
•There is a need for joint action in the smuggling of
migrants.
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Introduction
Key Messages
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Introduction
Modern policing faces a wide array of new challenges. These call for
enhanced knowledge and urge law enforcement agencies to adapt their
approach to maintaining the rule-of-law, preventing and combatting
crime, and intensifying cross-border cooperation. During the conference, the two panel discussions reflected on contemporary challenges
in regional police cooperation from two different, yet complementary
angles. The first panel addressed regional and national approaches for
countering transnational serious and organised crime and the second
panel focused on current issues and challenges related to European
migratory developments.
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
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Key Messages
Opening speech
“It is of high importance for national security
instruments and partner organizations to cooperate on a daily basis, and to trust each other. Any
meaningful cooperation beyond national borders
can take place only when instruments are well
organised and interact seamlessly at a national
level.”
Key Message 1
Smooth police cooperation is essential in
order to effectively fight against organised
crime
Highly organised, mobile and interconnected criminal groups are
quickly adapting their modus operandi and activities and are actively
seeking to secure further financial gain and launder the criminal proceeds by exploiting legal channels for their own benefit. These different forms of criminal activity conducted by a variety of organisations
across many national borders present a growing challenge to justice
and law enforcement authorities. Criminal groups operating across
borders can only be tackled through effective and efficient international police and judicial cooperation. This requires appropriate legal
frameworks, strong mutual trust at all levels and common operational
approaches.
The Ministers and senior representatives expressed a strong political will for an intensified regional cooperation among the countries
of South East Europe, EU members and third states alike. There is a
need for a more integrated approach between legal bases, institutional
processes and operational means in order to enhance the fight against
crossborder crime. While the international legal bases are deemed sufficient, the task now is to put them into action.
Ms Simonetta Sommaruga, Swiss Federal Councillor and
Minister of FDJP
Welcome speech
“International and regional cooperation mechanisms successfully act against organised crime in
the region. EU membership is a common goal for
all Southeast European countries and represents
a key moment to establish peace, stability and
progress in the region. On its behalf, the Ministry
of Interior of the Republic of Croatia will continue
on the basis of its capacities concrete agreements
to assist all the countries in the region.”
Mr Ranko Ostojić , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Interior, Croatia
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
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Key Messages
Keynote speech
“Even if regional institutions and instruments
are in place, it is up to the countries themselves
to individually address any gaps that still exist
at the national level which stand in the way
of attaining the goals of the regional institutions
and instruments. This is not an easy task, but
one which comes with great responsibility.
With the renewed support of Switzerland and
the European Union, as well as your personal
commitment and efforts, our chances of countering the security threats caused by organised
crime look promising and we are moving ever
closer to the aim of building a safer, more
prosperous, and hence better world.”
Ambassador Theodor Winkler, DCAF Director
“While the legal framework is already in place,
the fight against organised crime should involve
more action and less bureaucracy. As it seems,
criminals collaborate much faster with each other
than countries do. Therefore, we need to not only
collaborate closely with other countries in the
region but also with other countries in the EU.
This is a precondition in order to obtain effective
and sustainable results in the fight against
organised crime; only joint efforts will produce
the results that we cannot attain alone.”
Mr Saimir Tahiri, Minister of Internal Affairs, Albania
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
“In its aim to join the fight against organised
crime, my country has put in place a comprehensive legal basis and has developed a prescribed
framework. Its institutions are ready to work
jointly with regional and international organisations to tackle the changing faces of organised
crime.”
Mr Bajram Rexhepi, Minister of Internal Affairs, Kosovo*
“Countries today can no longer act individually
and international cooperation has become a
condition sine qua non. On several occasions,
Montenegro has confirmed that it is a constructive partner in working towards the establishment
of joint investigative teams and in the exchange
of information. The Ministry of Interior of
Montenegro is fully committed to joint cooperation and fully endorses inclusion in all regional
processes.”
Mr Ivan Ivanišević , Deputy Minister of Interior, Montenegro
Key Messages
“In the Republic of Macedonia there is a strong
political will for an intensive and continuous
fight against organised transnational crime. Our
success in fighting against organised crime
particularly depends on establishing international
mechanisms and integrated international institutions. Above all, an integrated and systematic
approach is required that enables a unique and
single security space to be set-up with adequate
legal instruments in the aim of safeguarding
human rights and freedoms.”
Mr Zemri Qamili, Deputy Minister of Interior, Macedonia
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Key Messages
Key Message 2
Policing in a multicultural society
requires up-to-date skills and the trust
of the population
The police play a pivotal role in the life of communities. By preserving peace and preventing and combating crime, the police constitute
the government’s most visible branch. Each country has to strive to
achieve a balanced and comprehensive approach at the national level
in order to support those in need of international protection, while
trying to prevent illegal activity and abuse of the system. The law
enforcement and migration authorities need to be up to the task, with
sufficient knowledge and capacities, and the population’s trust. They
must ensure that fundamental human rights are respected and modern policing standards are upheld at all times. These essential requirements are, however, often overlooked in the discourse about the effects
of migration on the countries concerned and therefore merit adequate
sufficient attention.
Recent trends comprising both regular and irregular migration have
posed new challenges to states and societies. Police forces need up-to-date
skills to address the diversity of contexts in which they operate with a view
to mitigating potential conflicts and preventing human rights violations.
The following measures are of crucial importance for policing in multicultural societies:
•Ensuring a close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the
agencies dealing with migration (such as local or international NGOs).
•More education and training during the recruitment process in order
to prepare the police officers to engage with local communities, which
are sometimes different from the police officer’s personal background.
•Engagement with the local population, including civil society and
local organisations, is crucial. One has to reach out to the media and
communicate to the public what the government is doing and what the
expected outcomes are. This is the only way to ensure that each member
of the society understands that migration is a natural process, that it is
an evolving phenomenon and that governments are aware and prepared
for it.
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Key Messages
Keynote speech
“We are proposing a thorough approach regarding the question of asylum and migration.
Previous Ministers have committed themselves
to strengthening their activities in raising awareness for multicultural dialogue. This dialogue
should also be maintained on a grass roots basis.
Furthermore, the media, religious institutions
and NGOs should be involved, discussing the
topic of intercultural dialogue from a security
point of view. Multicultural dialogue should be
intensified to enable people to live in harmony
together within their countries. Provided that
cultural differences are used for the benefit
of all, then surely all types of security problems
will experience a decrease.”
Mr Mladen C�avar, Deputy Minister of Security,
Bosnia and Herzegovina
“The police work will be worth very little unless
investigations and arrests are followed by an
independent and professional judiciary, upholding
the highest standards of the rule of law. It is our
duty and political responsibility to contribute to
this goal, and to continuously defend the independence of the institutions and human rights.
These fundamental values should never be taken
for granted, and this holds true for Switzerland as
much as it does for any other country. Ultimately,
we can only be satisfied when the whole population is confident that the police will carry out their
work respecting both the rule of law and their
rights, regardless of nationality or ethnic background.”
Ms Simonetta Sommaruga, Swiss Federal Councillor and
Minister of FDJP
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
“How should the police act in multicultural societies? This is especially relevant to our society,
which is a melting pot of different nationalities.
Firstly, it is important that police in local communities are trained so that our officers can speak
the language and work with a community in
which the majority of the population belongs to a
national minority. Secondly, we also need as many
representatives of these minorities as possible to
apply for vacancies in the police force. The third
area that needs our attention is the police force’s
capacity to adapt to different circumstances.
Accordingly, the police’s work cannot and should
not be office bound, especially when it comes to
maintaining public law and order.”
Mr Ivica Dačić ,Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Serbia
Key Messages
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Key Message 3
Migration partnership – a thoroughly
holistic approach – is key for managing
regular and irregular migration
For the countries of South East Europe, the management of migration is intrinsically linked to their commitments in the framework
of the European Union accession and visa liberalisation processes.
In this context, South East European states have committed themselves to increase their capacity to manage legal migration, provide
adequate asylum systems, protect victims and prosecute the criminal
groups which are responsible for human trafficking and smuggling of
migrants.
In order to manage both regular and irregular migration, there is
a strong need for a holistic approach in the form of a “migration partnership.” A migration partnership constitutes a joint and comprehensive effort, where all stakeholders are invited to make a contribution
to addressing the challenges created by irregular migration. As part
of the “migration partnership” approach, all authorities involved in
the migration management of partner states work together to address
all the issues related to migration, including irregular migration and
human trafficking. The purpose of this partnership is to ensure that
human rights are preserved, but also that the general task of the
governments – which is to protect their borders and to try to address
every threat in the process – is fulfilled. Dealing with the challenges
posed by migration is the shared responsibility of both the government and the local community.
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Key Message 4
Need for joint action in the smuggling
of migrants
The Ministers made repeated reference to the increasing pressure
from irregular migrants using South East Europe as a transit route
towards Western Europe. They agreed that there is an urgent need for
ever closer coordination and joint action to counter this problem and
the related crime of migrant smuggling. There is potential for enhancing this cooperation between South East Europe and the destination
countries in Western Europe. The Ministers also emphasized the joint
responsibility to foster viable solutions. Any measures should, however, be taken with full respect of the rights of migrants and refugees
and without denying help to people in need.
“The conference provided a better understanding
of the challenges and possible solutions available
to strengthen the common response to organised
crime. The Ministers and Senior Officials emphasised their strong political will and commitment
to regional security through police cooperation.
Switzerland’s and other countries’ contributions to
security sector cooperation in the region are an investment in a common European security culture.”
Mr Denis Knobel, Swiss Ambassador to Croatia
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Key Messages
“Bulgaria’s experience in managing a sixfold
increase of mixed migration flows in 2013, showed
that several measures are of crucial importance:
• Finding the right balance between security
and fundamental rights;
• Swift response to migration and asylum
pressures;
• Searching for sustainable and long-term
solutions;
• Full transparency and openness, including to
the media;
• Application of a comprehensive and systematic
approach with good coordination between
the relevant national authorities;
• International cooperation as a key element for
effective tackling of irregular migration.”
Mr Plamen Angelov, Deputy Minister of Interior, Bulgaria
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
Conclusions from the conference
Three important lessons can be drawn from the conference:
1. It is the task of politics to provide the competent authorities with the
means and tools allowing cross-border crime to be effectively combatted. It is only through sufficient technical and financial means,
professional services and know-how that the region’s challenges can
be tackled.
2.Policing in a multicultural society will remain a challenge for all
countries alike. More efforts will be needed to create conducive
framework conditions in order to strengthen law enforcement’s
capacity to adapt to these changes. Only concrete – and perhaps
innovative – implementing measures will enable these authorities
to deal with minorities and effectively investigate crime and protect
its victims.
3.Regional cooperation mechanisms are already in place. The time
has now come to use these effectively and to also put them into concrete operation in our programme. Among other things, this can be
done by concrete anchorage within national laws and processes. It is
only through the implementation of common codes of conduct and
standards that the laws will be effectively enforced.
Key Messages
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Ministerial Conference on Contemporary Challenges in Regional Police Cooperation
Opatija, Croatia, 8 April 2014
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR