On September 16, in Podgorica, Montenegro, at the meeting of the interior ministers as part of the Berlin Process, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sašo Petruševski, led the Macedonian delegation and participated in both sessions.
The event was attended by ministers and high representatives from the six countries of the Western Balkans, high representatives from the European Commission, and from the partner countries of the Berlin Process.
The first session of the meeting was dedicated to strengthening resilience against organized crime. In his address, Secretary Petruševski emphasized:
"Our common goal must be clear: transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach. It is not enough to react after a crime has been committed. We must timely recognize risks and patterns, connect data, and identify the individuals and structures behind criminal activities. At the same time, we must strengthen the resilience of the institutions themselves. Professional integrity, accountability, effective internal control, and zero tolerance for corruption are essential prerequisites for a credible fight against organized crime.
It is precisely in this that we recognize the value of the Berlin Process: the shared political commitment to turn it into concrete operational cooperation and measurable results. The Republic of Macedonia remains a reliable and active partner in regional and European security initiatives. Only through a coordinated national, regional, and European approach can we more effectively prevent and detect the activities of organized criminal networks and ensure effective prosecution of the perpetrators."
The second session of the meeting was dedicated to strengthening capacities and partnerships in border management and combating illegal migration. This part of the meeting was opened by Secretary of State Petruševski, who presented the conclusions from the Forum of Heads of Border Police, held in Skopje on August 27. He briefly outlined these important conclusions, which reflected a shared understanding of the priorities for safe, humane, and coordinated border management across the Western Balkans and the European Union, with full respect for human rights.
Following thiswas the address by the Secretary of State, who emphasized:
"The conclusions adopted in Skopje at the Forum of Heads of Border Police represent a solid foundation for the next phase. Our task now is to translate them into concrete actions – better information exchange, stronger contact networks, more joint operations and training, improved interoperability, and even greater mutual trust.
Only through a joint, coordinated, and responsible approach can we ensure borders that are safe and well-managed, while also aligning with European values and fully respecting human dignity."
The Berlin Process was established to support countries in the region in achieving European Union standards and providing tangible benefits for citizens, through strengthening regional cooperation and advancing European integration.
