Indonesia is bolstering its cooperation with Serbia to tackle transnational crime, as articulated by Minister Yasonna Laoly. The two countries, sharing critical trade routes, are at risk for organized crimes like smuggling. They aim to enhance existing international collaborations and explore improvements in regulatory frameworks. Minister Laoly is in Belgrade to finalize legal agreements, highlighting the significance of their strengthened ties.
The Indonesian government is actively seeking to enhance its collaboration with Serbia in the fight against transnational crime, as asserted by Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly. During a meeting with Serbian Deputy Minister of Justice, Radomir Ilic, in Belgrade, Minister Laoly emphasized that both nations occupy strategic geographic positions, serving as pivotal hubs in global trade routes. However, this advantageous location also exposes them to significant risks, particularly concerning transnational organized crimes, including the trafficking of illicit substances, firearms, and other illegal goods. Minister Laoly underscored the necessity of robust cooperation and collaboration among nations to effectively combat such crimes. He noted that Indonesia and Serbia have already engaged in international cooperative frameworks targeting transnational crimes, and there is a mutual desire to elevate this partnership further. Both countries are parties to several essential agreements aimed at addressing transnational crime, such as the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNCTOC), the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), and the UN Drug Control Convention. A notable instance of their collaborative legal framework is reflected in the extradition of Nikolov Iliev, a Serbian citizen extradited from Indonesia in 2015 for stealing bank customer data. In addition to discussions surrounding transnational crime, Minister Laoly expressed interest in exploring collaborations in other areas, particularly in regulatory simplification and improving the Ease of Doing Business index. He acknowledged Serbia’s superior ranking at 44th compared to Indonesia’s 73rd and requested Serbia’s insights into expediting company registration and regulatory processes. Furthermore, capacity building through the exchange of experts and joint training programs was highlighted as another potential avenue for cooperative growth. Minister Laoly, accompanied by his delegation, is in Belgrade to finalize agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance and extradition between the two nations. They departed Indonesia on July 4, 2020, and are anticipated to return on July 9, 2020.
The geographical positions of Indonesia and Serbia make them significant trading hubs; however, this same feature also renders them susceptible to various forms of transnational crime. Such crimes pose a considerable threat to national and global security, necessitating international cooperation to combat these challenges effectively. Indonesia and Serbia have established a legal basis for their collaboration through their participation in international treaties aimed at stamping out organized crime and corruption. Their current negotiations indicate a proactive approach toward enhancing legal frameworks and business practices between the two countries.
In summary, the Indonesian government is committed to strengthening its partnership with Serbia to effectively combat transnational crime while also exploring cooperative efforts in regulatory reform and capacity building. The discussions held by Minister Yasonna Laoly during his visit highlight the strategic importance of bilateral collaboration in enhancing legal frameworks and fostering economic growth between both nations.
Original Source: en.antaranews.com
