DPM Bečić hosts newly appointed UAE Ambassador to Montenegro

Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić hosted earlier today newly appointed Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Montenegro Khamis Rashid Ahmed Alshamsi. The meeting reaffirmed exceptionally high level of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and a shared commitment to further enhancing them through concrete projects and strategic cooperation.

DPM Bečić wished Ambassador Alshamsi a successful term, expressing confidence that his diplomatic engagement would further contribute to strengthening the Montenegro-UAE partnership, which has been experiencing strong momentum and progress in many areas.

During the meeting, special attention was given to cooperation in the field of security, strengthening institutional ties, exchanging experiences, digital transformation, combating organised crime, as well as enhancing operational cooperation between the competent institutions of the two countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that Montenegro is implementing a comprehensive reform of the security sector based on professionalisation, regulatory improvements and strong modernisation of the system.

Organised crime knows no borders, ideologies, religions or nations. Criminal structures operate quickly and in interconnected networks, which is why the response of states must be even stronger, more coordinated and internationally connected. Therefore, international cooperation and information exchange represent one of the key pillars of the modern fight against organised crime, Bečić stated.

He particularly stressed the importance of international cooperation in the processes of locating and extraditing fugitives from justice, expressing gratitude to partner countries and international institutions:

International cooperation of the Montenegrin security institutions is at a historic maximum. This is one of the reasons why we have numerous arrests of fugitives wanted under international warrants. One by one, they are being brought to justice, while strong and institutional blows are being delivered daily to both the Škaljari clan and the Kavač clan, as well as to all other criminal organisations and forms of crime. The transparent and cheap hybrid actions aimed at attacking those leading the fight against crime are merely an indicator of the enormous fear and panic prevailing within criminal structures and their various associates. In the past, the security sector and the State were at their service, but today the State defeats the mafia every day and demonstrates that no one will ever again be stronger than the State, DPM Bečić said.

The meeting also discussed completed and planned activities aimed at intensifying cooperation between the ministries of the interior and police structures of the two countries.

Bečić especially thanked the United Arab Emirates for assisting Montenegro during the previous wildfire season, when the UAE made modern firefighting capacities available, emphasising that such assistance left a strong impression on the citizens of Montenegro and further strengthened mutual trust and friendship.

Ambassador Alshamsi thanked DPM Bečić for the warm reception and the strong support Montenegro provides to the United Arab Emirates, reaffirming his country’s readiness to continue supporting development and investment processes in Montenegro.

He pointed out that the UAE views Montenegro as a strategic partner and expressed expectations for intensified investment activities and expanded cooperation in the areas of security, defense, technology, innovation and knowledge transfer.

The Ambassador also conveyed messages of support and friendship from the President of the United Arab Emirates, emphasising the UAE’s willingness to continue supporting Montenegro through joint projects, institutional cooperation, training programmes and exchanges of experience between the competent institutions of the two countries.