Dacic: Interpol understands the issue of territorial integrity; Kosovo does not even try to apply anymore

Summarizing his participation at the 93rd session of the Interpol General Assembly in Marrakesh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Serbia Ivica Dacic announced that the Serbian Ministry of the Interior will apply to open the Interpol Regional Bureau for Southeast Europe, headquartered in Belgrade, and reiterated that Kosovo did not submit a membership request.

Dacic noted that Kosovo has not made any serious attempt to apply for Interpol membership in the last five to six years, because, as he stated, they understand that they have no chance of succeeding.

“This year as well, there was no application from ‘Kosovo’ for membership. Some may say that we perhaps pay too much attention to this issue, but given that we have already been burned once — when ‘Kosovo’ applied at the Interpol Assembly in Dubai and we had to make great efforts to win that vote — it does no harm to remain vigilant. I must also thank the Interpol leadership for understanding the question of territorial integrity, as well as our brotherly countries that always react whenever the issue of ‘Kosovo’ is raised, just as we react whenever their sovereignty and territorial integrity are mentioned. In that sense, ‘Kosovo’ has not seriously attempted to apply in the last five or six years because they realize they have no chance of succeeding,” Dacic emphasized.

According to the Minister, Interpol, under the leadership of outgoing President Ahmed Al-Raisi, has succeeded in restoring its founding principles and becoming an organization that equally represents all its member states.

“He devoted much more attention to countries that were perhaps in a disadvantaged position because they do not belong to the Western hemisphere. He advocated for establishing additional regional bureaus, and we are interested in hosting the Regional Bureau for Southeast Europe in Belgrade. We will formally submit our application,” Dacic said, adding that he discussed Serbia’s application with Al-Raisi and Interpol Secretary General Valdesi Urquiza on the margins of the 93rd General Assembly, and that Serbia enjoys the support of most countries in the region.

Dacic also stated that he expects Urquiza to visit Belgrade in the coming months, which will serve as another opportunity to further discuss the establishment of the Regional Bureau in Belgrade.

“The third important element is bilateral contacts. I held talks with many of my counterparts and police directors. First, as the host country, I met with the Minister of the Interior of Morocco — a close confidant of the Moroccan King and Minister of the Interior for eight years — as well as the Director of Police. We also expect his visit to Belgrade and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between our two interior ministries,” Dacic said, recalling that he also spoke with representatives of China, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Namibia, and Somalia.

The Minister stated that he awarded Al-Raisi the highest distinction that the Ministry of the Interior can grant — the “Jakov Nenadovic” star, named after Serbia’s first Minister of the Interior in 1811 — and noted that he himself received an Interpol medal of special rank.

“Today Al-Raisi presented me with Interpol’s Medal of Special Rank — the highest medal awarded at the level of ministers of the interior — which I consider to be a great recognition for our Ministry of the Interior, for the Government of Serbia, for the Republic of Serbia, and a major acknowledgment of everything we have achieved, not only in domestic security but also in international cooperation and support for the policy led by the Interpol President in recent years. I am deeply grateful for this honor, which is a recognition for all members of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior,” the Minister concluded.

Dacic received Interpol’s highest decoration intended for ministers of the interior — the Medal of Special Rank — in recognition of his contribution to strengthening international security cooperation and the fight against organized crime.

The citation notes that the medal represents recognition for “exceptional results in preserving security and stability at the regional and global levels,” as well as for strengthening partnership and solidarity between Serbia and Interpol.

“Interpol is honored to present you with this prestigious Medal of Special Rank as a token of high recognition for your prominent role in supporting security cooperation efforts both in Serbia and internationally,” the message from Interpol reads.

The organization particularly highlights Dacic’s contribution to enhancing joint mechanisms among member states in combating organized and transnational crime.

Interpol President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi presented the award to Minister Dacic, stating that it reflects “sincere appreciation” for his dedication to strengthening international cooperation in the field of law enforcement and for contributing to the creation of “a safer and more just world for all.”