Indonesia and Serbia Foster Cooperation to Combat Transnational Crime

Indonesia is strengthening its partnership with Serbia to enhance efforts against transnational crimes, as articulated by Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly. The countries share strategic geographical positions that make them vulnerable to organized crime. They aim to elevate their cooperation by engaging in international agreements, learning from each other’s regulatory efficiency, and exploring mutual legal assistance and capacity-building opportunities.

The government of Indonesia is actively pursuing collaboration with Serbia to enhance their joint efforts in combating transnational crime. As stated by Yasonna Laoly, Minister of Law and Human Rights, both nations are strategically positioned along vital trade routes which can unfortunately also render them susceptible to transnational criminal activities such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling. This concern was voiced during a meeting with Serbian Deputy Minister of Justice, Radomir Ilic, in Belgrade. Minister Laoly emphasized the necessity of stronger international cooperation to effectively address these organized crimes, highlighting that both Indonesia and Serbia are participants in international agreements aimed at mitigating such issues, including the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNCTOC) and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The Minister pointed out the extradition case of Serbian national Nikolov Iliev, who was involved in banking data theft and returned to Serbia from Indonesia in 2015, as a testament to the robust law enforcement relations between the two countries. In addition to the focus on crime prevention, Minister Laoly expressed an interest in learning from Serbia’s regulatory efficiency, particularly in areas such as business registration, a sector where Serbia has a higher ranking (44th) in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index compared to Indonesia’s 73rd position. He also discussed the potential for bilateral cooperation in capacity building through expert exchange and joint training programs to enhance human resources within both nations. Minister Laoly and his delegation are in Belgrade to negotiate agreements concerning Mutual Legal Assistance and extradition, with a planned return to Indonesia on July 9, 2020.

Indonesia and Serbia’s collaboration reflects a growing awareness of the potential vulnerabilities shared by countries located along significant trade routes. These strategic geographical positions allow for enhanced trade but also open up avenues for transnational organized crimes, such as drug and arms smuggling. The need for international cooperation is paramount in addressing these issues effectively. As both nations have signed various global agreements aimed at combating such crimes, their recent discussions underscore a commitment to solidify their partnership in this domain. Additionally, Serbia’s higher ranking in the Ease of Doing Business index presents an opportunity for Indonesia to learn and improve its own business climate through shared experiences.

In conclusion, the cooperative efforts between Indonesia and Serbia mark a significant step forward in tackling the challenges posed by transnational crimes. Their shared commitment to enhancing law enforcement relations and learning from one another’s regulatory practices offers an optimistic outlook for future collaboration. The ongoing negotiations for legal assistance and extradition agreements further illustrate the dedication of both countries to nurture and strengthen their bilateral ties for mutual benefit.

Original Source: en.antaranews.com