The delegation headed by Nicoletta della Valle, director of Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police (fedpol), met with Deputy Minister of Interior Ilir Marko and the Deputy Director of State Police Rebani Jaupaj.

Discussions focused on cooperation between police forces in the two countries. Officials also spoke about exchanging information on crime suspects, enabling greater use of INTERPOL channels, and allowing joint police analyses. The issues of migration and terrorism were also topics of discussion during the meetings.

The Swiss delegation signed on Thursday in Podgorica an agreement between Switzerland and Montenegro to intensify co-operation on fighting all forms of crime. The agreement adds to the network of similar agreements already concluded with other Balkan states. Switzerland has already concluded similar agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia.

The agreement with Albania is in force since 2007. Under the agreement senior police officers come together to solve crime within the framework of their national law. Based on this police co-operation agreement, Switzerland welcomes closer co-operation and contact with Albanian investigators. In particular, Switzerland seeks to strengthen measures to combat human trafficking and drug trafficking.   

The visit in Montenegro and Albania is part of the Swiss Federal Council’s strategy on strengthening international police co-operation. South Eastern Europe is of major significance because activities of organised crime groups from can have an impact on Switzerland. Cooperation with police authorities in the Balkans assists both the Swiss Federal Police and cantonal police authorities in their fight against crime.