Minister Nuhodžić discusses the idea of Albanian Prime Minister Rama on the Schengen borders in the WB: Schengen relations first and then Schengen borders

The Minister of the Interior Mevludin Nuhodžić said in response to a reiterated statement by Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama on the "Schengen borders between Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo", that Montenegro and the Republic of Albania have excellent friendly and good neighborly relations, that they opened a joint border crossing point almost a decade before other countries of the region, and that the Schengen border model in our region will be able to be discussed once the Western Balkan countries adopt standards and have relations that the Schengen States have.

"Montenegro and the Republic of Albania have excellent friendly and good neighborly relations. Ten years ago (2009) we opened a joint road border crossing point Sukobin - Murićani, with the possibility of joint control. Some other countries in the region have done it almost a decade after us. But we did not stop. In the second half of last year, after the joint session of the two governments, we signed the Agreement on the opening of the joint border crossing point Ckla - Zogaj "- said Minister Nuhodžić in response to yesterday's statement of the Prime Minister of Albania given at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Zoran Zaev.

When it comes to faster and simpler crossing of the border, the Minister of the Interior of Montenegro added, our focus is primarily on the security of the state and citizens.

We are aware that there are increasingly intense threats such as organized crime, smuggling, illegal migration and terrorism. Therefore, we pay special attention to strengthening the capacity for safer borders. It was precisely the purpose of the Schengen agreement at the European Union level, not only to abolish internal border control, but also to create better conditions for monitoring external borders and combating cross-border crime. In this regard, Montenegro, with the support of the European Commission, successfully implemented measures towards achieving the Schengen standards. In the framework of the implementation of the Schengen Action Plan, we are committed to modernizing the infrastructure at the border crossing points, better technical equipment and training of the Border Police "- said Minister Nuhodžić. He added that Montenegro is continuously undertaking activities to improve the functionality and mobility at the border crossing points, because we believe that, with effective controls, it should be done wherever possible, working on better flow and simplifying procedures for the border.

"So, our goal is to make the border as efficient as possible for the faster flow of people and goods, and as closed as possible for criminals. And when we adopt the Schengen standards and have Schengen relations at the level of the countries of the Region, then we can talk about the Schengen borders"- concluded the Minister of the Interior of Montenegro Mevludin Nuhodžić.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO
PHOTO: Joint Session of the Government of Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of Albania, Skadar, March 7, 2018