The Head of IISG Secretariat Mr. Agron Sojati was invited to deliver a presentation on the IISG state of play at the high-level meeting on “Fight against High Risk Criminal Networks identified, with a special emphasis on encrypted platforms”, organised by the Italian Ministry of Interior.

The meeting took place in Tivat, Montenegro, on the 9^th of March 2023 and was attended by professional, political, and diplomatic representatives of the EU and WB region. All Chiefs of Police from WB Partners were present at the meeting and delivered presentations on the state of play in their economy.

The meeting was a unique opportunity to advance high-level discussions on the respective threats posed by the encrypted platforms used by OCGs, highlighting the possible legal issues and sharing the best experiences at the national and international levels, thus enhancing international police cooperation and sharing of information in a coordinated matter.

Mr. Carlo VERDIGLIONE, Countering Serious Crime in the Western Balkans – IPA 2019 Project Manager, opened the event and commented on the importance of the meeting and its agenda with regard to the Fight against High-Risk Criminal Networks identified, with a special emphasis on encrypted platforms.

Prefect Vittorio RIZZI, Italian Deputy Director General of Public Security, Criminal Police Central Director, offered the manual and the platform to WB Partners which reported their interest in the issue and commented on the initial cases already applied and the benefits to the results of investigations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Zoran BRDJANIN, General Director of Montenegrin Police,  addressed the Chiefs of Police from WB Partners and proposed to make a decision there and then in order not to lose time in requiring Italian colleagues to prepare the training and the manual.

H.E. Ms Oana Cristina POPA, Head of European Union Delegation to Montenegro, and H.E. Ms. Andreina MARSELLA, Ambassador of Italy to Montenegro greeted the meeting and highlighted the importance of the issue of fighting organised crime.

Ms. Anna VEZYROGLOU, Deputy Head of Western Balkans Policy and Regional Strategy Unit – EU Commission DG NEAR, supported the approach and welcomed the Italian proposal.

Mr. Oliver JANSER, Countering Serious Crime in the Western Balkans – IPA 2019 Project Manager, highlighted the benefit of IISG work and required full support from the Chief of Police Partners to all three pillars: on the needs, response mapping, and database information and analysis.

Mr. Sojati presented the state of play of IISG work. The presentation underlined the importance of well-established and good work of individual governing structures in each WB Partner.

Mr. Sojati took the opportunity to individually approach the Chiefs of Police of Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo*, and Republika Srpska. All directors expressed their interest in the IISG work, and required personal involvement and direct contact. They all asked for bilateral meetings with IISG Secretariat to further discuss ways to improve the platform.