The European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Ministry of Interior and the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, continue their joint efforts to improve the safety and security of Serbia’s borders.
A high-level event at Belgrade Nikola Tesla International Airport” under the title “Safety – Partnership in Action,”senior representatives of the Government, the EU, and UNODC reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing border management and strengthening the rule of law through modern and coordinated approaches.
The event is part of the regional project “EU–Joint Action on Promoting Rule of Law and Good Governance through Targeted Border Control Measures”, funded by the EU and implemented by UNODC together with national and international partners. The initiative supports the establishment of self-sustainable and inter-agency efficient, intelligence-led border control systems, denominated Airport, Seaport and Land Border Control Units, fully capable to combat cross-border crime, enhance traveler safety, and secure Serbia’s role as a trusted partner in regional and international security frameworks.
As a Team Europe Effort, this initiative strands as a strong example of how coordinated EU support and collective expertise can deliver impactful unified solutions to shared security challenges. The project also aims to sustain and enhance national and regional prevention and investigative capacity in protecting strategic business and travellers’ corridors from drugs and crime while looking at their inter-regional connections.
Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Customs Administration, EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, FRONTEX, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the EU4FAST project. During the event, the participants could witness the advanced status and achievements of the Airport Control Unit (ACU) at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, showcasing its operational successes in detecting illicit activities and facilitating legitimate trade and travel.
During a guided visit to the ACU, attendees observed firsthand how international cooperation and EU support translate into practical results on the ground, from improved risk analysis and data exchange to the deployment of advanced equipment and training for front line officers.
This joint initiative demonstrates how strong partnerships between the EU, UNODC, and Serbian authorities are driving tangible progress in ensuring the safety of citizens and visitors alike. It reinforces Serbia’s contribution to regional stability and its alignment with European and international security standards.
