Europol

The special state prosecutor's offices in Podgorica, Montenegro. Photo: EPA/BORIS PEJOVIC

Montenegro's National Security Council session in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

Bulgaria invited specialists from the Dutch and Austrian customs services to monitor operations at the Turkish border to try to dispel concerns that hinder its bid to join the Schengen area for free travel, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told Politico last night.

Montenegrin Special Police Unit training in camp in the capital, Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

In its report, the Committee called on Interior Minister Filip Adzic, head of the Police Directorate Nikola Terzic and regional police directors to actively promote a culture change within law enforcement agencies.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria, Kalin Stoyanov, held a series of bilateral meetings in Luxembourg.

He met with the executive director of Europol, Catherine de Boll, and thanked her for the consistent support for our country in its efforts to join Schengen. Minister Stoyanov assured that Bulgaria will work actively to become part of the area by the end of the year.

A "notorious money launderer" who cleaned "the dirty money of the world's foremost criminals" was arrested late last month in Athens, Europol, the EU police agency, has announced.

The arrest, on 31 May, followed a long investigation by Dutch police into the activities of the underground banker, who operated in the Netherlands.

A series of raids carried out simultaneously across Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Germany on May 24 resulted with the arrest of "37 members of a highly violent criminal cell from the Western Balkans," Europe's law enforcement agency, Europol, stated on Friday. 

Montenegrin Special State Prosecutor Vladimir Novovic (L), Police Director Zoran Brdjanin (M) and Special Police Department Predrag Sukovic (R) in Podgorica. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The government appointed two new interim police directors, Nikola Terzic and Predrag Sukovic, who will be in charge of contact with the European police agency Europol.

Montenegrin Interior Minister Filip Adzic (L) and Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic (R) inspecting special police units. Photo: Government of Montenegro

The EU will direct 600 million euros to strengthen Bulgariua's border with Turkey. This was announced on the Bulgarian national Television by the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Commissioner Petar Todorov.