Namibia, Serbia sign policing agreement to Ccmbat cross-border crime
Namibia and Serbia have strengthened their diplomatic and security ties after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in policing and the fight against transnational crime.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Belgrade by Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, and Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Ivica Dačić.
The MoU establishes a formal framework for collaboration between the two countries on a range of law enforcement matters, including the prevention, investigation and prosecution of serious criminal offences. Areas covered by the agreement include terrorism and the financing of terrorism, cybercrime, organised crime, human trafficking, illicit drug production and trafficking, money laundering, and other forms of economic crime. It also provides for closer cooperation in cases where criminal activities in one country are connected to, or threaten the security of, the other.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Iipumbu described the agreement as an important milestone in the growing relationship between Namibia and Serbia. She said it reflected both countries' shared commitment to promoting peace, strengthening security and improving the effectiveness of law enforcement.
In addition to operational cooperation, the agreement places a strong emphasis on building institutional capacity. It provides for professional training, the exchange of trainees and the development of short- and long-term programmes designed to strengthen the administrative and operational capabilities of both countries' policing institutions. Iipumbu reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to fully implementing the Memorandum of Understanding, saying the partnership would create opportunities for knowledge sharing and closer institutional cooperation.
She expressed confidence that the agreement would deliver long-term benefits for both countries while contributing to improved public safety and stronger international cooperation in combating cross-border crime. The signing marks another step in expanding bilateral relations between Namibia and Serbia, with both governments seeking to deepen cooperation on issues of mutual interest, particularly in the field of security and law enforcement.
