Minister of Internal Affairs Catalin Predoiu met on Friday with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic, occasion on which the two officials exchanged views on topics of shared interest, such as securing the common border, strengthening cooperation between the structures specialized in cross-border crime, continuing joint access to non-reimbursable external funds, as well as expanding collaboration in the emergency situations area by creating a bilateral judicial framework.

According to a Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) release, the relation between Romania and Serbia has 'a special strategic dimension,' highlighted by human connections, the Serbian and Romanian communities in both states, as well as substantial trade exchanges between the sides.

'The discussions showed the interest of both sides to intensify police cooperation in view of combating cross-border crime, with an emphasis on migrant, human and drug trafficking. The two dignitaries agreed to intensify the exchange of information in an operative interest and to establish, depending on the needs in the field, various formats of bilateral operational cooperation. Moreover, they agreed an exchange of best practices in the next period, regarding the methods to address new threats in the digital space, negotiations in crisis situations and collaboration in the special operations area. The very good results achieved within the bilateral cooperation were highlighted, especially in investigating and combating international drug trafficking, by seizing substantial quantities of high-risk drugs in recent years,' the MAI release said.

In order to have a more efficient management of illegal migration in the region, the delegations committed to closely monitor the migrant flows on the Western Balkans route, through an efficient exchange of information between the relevant authorities of Romania and Serbia, but also with other partners in the region.

Moreover, it was welcomed the exemplary cooperation between the border structures of the two states, which led to a better protection of the Romanian-Serbian border. In this regard, it was agreed to continue the joint patrol mission at the border, to organize monthly meetings at territorial level, as well as regular leadership-level meetings in order to discuss current aspects within the remit of the border structures.

An useful instrument within the framework of bilateral border cooperation is the Portile de Fier I Joint Contact Point, which facilitates the swift exchange of information in concrete cases and, in this respect, the full use of its potential was agreed.

In the context of Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, Catalin Predoiu assured the Serbian partners that the way Romania enforces the new instruments 'will not affect the citizens of the neighbouring state.'

Within the meeting, the two ministers signed an agreement between Romania's Government and the Government of the Republic of Serbia regarding cooperation in the area of prevention, mitigation and response to disasters.

The document sets out the technical procedures for the competent authorities of both states to carry out joint actions aimed at preventing, mitigating and responding to disasters, in accordance with European and international requirements and recommendations. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eusebi Manolache; EN - writing by: Rodica State)