Spajić, Sarrazin: Combating money laundering a joint challenge and opportunity for close cooperation between Montenegro and Germany

Germany and Montenegro share many common security challenges, making coordinated efforts to address open issues in this field highly sensible, agreed Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and German Federal Government Special Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans Manuel Sarrazin.

During their meeting in Berlin, discussions centered around strengthening the rule of law, a key priority of the Montenegrin Government.

Prime Minister Spajić emphasised that the adoption of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Law marked a significant step in the fight against organised crime.

At that moment, we made a significant change by stopping numerous ways in which dirty money was being used. This is one of the most stringent laws of its kind in Europe, stated Prime Minister Spajić.

German Federal Government Special Representative for the Countries of the Western Balkans Sarrazin noted that Germany is also actively working in the field of combating money laundering. He welcomed the Montenegrin Government's intention to undertake necessary reforms in the security sector with the support of international partners, including Germany.

The importance of the Berlin Process in the economic integration of the Western Balkans region with the EU was highlighted, with discussions focusing on concrete results ahead of the upcoming summit scheduled to be held in Berlin in October.

In the context of combating foreign malign influence, alongside strengthening the rule of law, the significance of balanced economic development was noted, which is expected to accelerate the gradual integration into the European single market.

It was concluded that Montenegro is on track to receive the IBAR in June, with discussions also touching on the ambitious reform agenda pursued by the Government to meet the requirements of EU integration.