As part of a project co-financed by the European Commission, the second Final Conference of the first edition of the Jean Monnet EUVALWEB Chair, dedicated to Promoting Public Awareness of the Fight Against Transnational Crimes, the Role of Police and Judicial Cooperation and Respect for Fundamental Rights was held in the Aula Magna AS of the Faculty of Law of the University of Donja Gorica (UDG, Podgorica).  

"The goal of the Jean Monnet Chair is to provide a detailed and in-depth understanding of the EU accession process and identity of the European Union based on its fundamental values," said Professor Teresa Russo (Holder of the Jean Monnet EUVALWEB Chair) in her opening statement.

 "The problem that has brought us together is one of the major issues of the modern world. We live in a time that one of the last great sociologists, Ulrich Beck, called a risk society. In this society, one of the risks is transnational crime. At the same time, we live on a continent that, as part of its identity, cherishes the last great philosophy called The Enlightenment. That philosophy was based on the hope that the world would be a better place if the people who live in it are more educated. I share the hope of that great movement, which is still foundational to Europe," emphasised Professor Dragan K. Vukčević (Dean of the Faculty of Law at UDG).

He added that transnational crime is one of those networks that establishes itself very effectively in the areas it is interested in. According to Vukčević, this network needs to be countered with a network of education, training, and interconnection of institutions that fight transnational crime.

 "The rule of law is the essence of everything. When we talk about the rule of law, we usually say that it needs to be significantly strengthened. This actually means that an empowered and independent judicial power and administration are needed to implement all the necessary social changes. In addition to legislative changes, a change in mindset is also needed," said Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, after which three panel discussions followed.

The first panel, led by Dr. Miljana Rakočević, was dedicated to transnational crime as a global problem and featured speeches by Professor Teresa Russo, Dr. Jelena Đurišić, and Dr. Johann Wagner (EUROL3, International Expert and Head of the Police Component). The panel was followed by a debate with students, and it was moderated by Dr. Miljana Rakočević.

The second panel focused on judicial and police cooperation in the fight against transnational crime. The participants in this panel discussion were Dr. Jovan Jablan, Dr. Jelena Đalović (Liaison Prosecutor for Montenegro at EUROJUST), Dr. Ognjen Mitrović (Consultant of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), and Professor Nikola B. Šaranović.

Finally, the third panel, dedicated to respect for human rights in the fight against transnational crime, was led by Professor Nikola B. Šaranović, and alongside him, Professor Mladen Vukčević and Professor Leonardo Pasquali gave speeches, as well.