Statement by Coordinator of the Bureau for Operational Coordination of the Intelligence and Security Sector Aleksa Bečić

As part of the continued activities of the Bureau for Operational Coordination, aimed at increasing and improving the level of interoperability among the bodies of the intelligence and security sector, Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović, Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović, Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović, Director of the National Security Agency Ivica Janović, and Acting Director of the Customs Administration Maja Vučinić signed the Agreement on the Method of Using the National “Watch” List and the General Rules for Work and Cooperation between the Organizational Unit for National Watch Lists and the Contact Points of State Authorities that Compile the National “Watch” List.

By signing these documents, the basis for improving the direct exchange of intelligence and security data in the areas of terrorism and serious and organized crime has been further expanded. At the same time, a model of cooperation between intelligence and security bodies applied by partner countries has been implemented within the intelligence and security sector.

The signing of these documents is the result of several months of work by an interdepartmental working group established by the Bureau in February 2024, in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Basic Principles of the Intelligence and Security Sector, which has so far fully implemented all defined tasks.

The Bureau notes that at the first session of its current composition, held on 20 December 2023, it defined as one of its priority and strategic areas of work the increase and improvement of interoperability among the intelligence and security sector bodies, through the establishment of channels for access to and exchange of data from the records maintained by these bodies in accordance with the applicable legal regulations governing their competences.

The Bureau also recalls that, during its 10th session held in June 2025, Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović, Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović, Director of the National Security Agency Ivica Janović, and Acting Director of the Customs Administration Maja Vučinić signed an Agreement on Cooperation with the Maritime Information Unit, with the aim of enhancing cooperation in detecting criminal offences related to drug smuggling, human smuggling, smuggling of weapons, ammunition and explosives, smuggling of excise goods, corruption, as well as related and all other forms of serious criminal offences defined by the Criminal Code of Montenegro. These offences have a cross-border and/or international character, and their commission involves the use of ports in Montenegro as well as other foreign ports open to international maritime traffic.

Finally, the Bureau emphasizes that, through a thorough and systematic approach in implementing the aforementioned conclusion, during the mandate of the current Bureau for Operational Coordination, several additional agreements have already been signed on the exchange of criminal intelligence data, including agreements between the Police Directorate and the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions, the Police Directorate and the National Security Agency, and the Police Directorate and the Customs Administration. An agreement regulating this matter between the Police Directorate and the Ministry of Defence – Intelligence and Security Directorate is currently in preparation.

In summary, the Bureau emphasized that this issue will remain one of its key priorities, with the intention of implementing standards that will enable an increasing degree of automation in the exchange of data among intelligence and security sector bodies. This will serve as a basis for planning and undertaking further activities aimed at protecting internal and national security, safeguarding and improving the security of citizens and constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms, protecting property, and preventing, detecting and solving criminal offences.