A two-day assessment mission was carried out in Belgrade with an aim to assist the Ministry of Interior in their efforts to comply with recommendations issued by GRECO (the Group of States against Corruption) given to Serbia in their Fifth Evaluation Round. The mission included wide consultations with key internal bodies of the Ministry of Interior, including the Directorate of Internal Control, the Directorate of Police, the Secretariat, the Sector for Logistics as well as the Agency for Prevention of Corruption and civil society. It was focused on identifying areas prone to corruption within police, reviewing current preventive measures, and evaluating institutional practices that could be strengthened to enhance integrity within the police force.

These exchanges reinforced the importance of independent scrutiny, public transparency, and the role of non-governmental actors in driving sustainable anti-corruption reforms. The role of internal stakeholders was also emphasized in dialogue with the police trade union, highlighting the significance of staff awareness, workplace integrity, and internal communication in fostering a culture of accountability.

Insights gathered during the mission will guide the formation of the working group and shape the structure and priorities of the forthcoming Operational Plan. The plan is a key step toward fulfilling GRECO’s recommendations and reinforcing Serbia’s commitment to combating corruption in line with European standards.

The activity has taken place within the Project “Countering Economic Crime in Serbia”, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency, and implemented by the Council of Europe.