Podgorica, (MINA) - Montenegro urgently needs an anti-mafia law that will enable more efficient verification of the origin of assets and confiscation of illegally acquired funds, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic said, adding that organized crime can be defeated with strong institutions and international cooperation.

According to the press release from Milatovic’s office, he participated in the second meeting of the European Coalition against Drugs, held as part of the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Speaking about the challenges in the fight against organized crime, Milatovic thanked France for its support and cooperation in strengthening organized crime fighting capacities, including the Sky ECC correspondence that contributed to exposing criminal networks.

He stated that in the previous period, individuals within Montenegro’s system were part of the structures they were supposed to suppress, stressing that strengthening the integrity of institutions is a key prerequisite for an effective fight against crime.

Milatovic thanked Italy for its continuous support in improving the legislative framework, especially in the preparation of the anti-mafia law aimed at effective targeting of financial flows and assets acquired through criminal activities.

According to him, Montenegro urgently needs an anti-mafia law that will enable more efficient verification of the origin of assets and confiscation of illegally acquired funds.

Milatovic said that a significant portion of such assets is located abroad, which additionally imposes the need for stronger international cooperation.