Serbia adopts extradition treaty with Montenegro

The Serbian government adopted an extradition treaty with Montenegro on Friday, reported the Serbian news agency Beta.

The treaty between the two Balkan neighbors permits the extradition of criminal offenses punishable by more than three years in prison.

Slobodan Homen, secretary of state for the Serbian Ministry of Justice, expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the Montenegrin government to adopt the treaty.

"Through our initiative we informed Montenegro that we want to ratify this agreement as soon as possible," said Homen. "I believe that in the shortest possible deadline it will be concluded, as this is in the interest of both countries and the entire European integration (process)."

As part of a West Balkan effort to reduce organized crime and corruption, Serbia also recently signed an extradition treaty with Croatia. However, the agreement with Montenegro would be broader in scope, explained Homen.

"Unlike the agreement with Croatia, which in its initial phase is limited to extradition for serious crimes, in particular organized crime and corruption, with Montenegro we have discussed and proposed a general agreement that should be applied to all crimes punishable by more than three years in prison, "said Homen.

Homen added that the agreement also provides for prisoners to serve their sentences in one country or another.

Source: Xinhua