The European Union's (EU) office in Bosnia and Herzegovina has called on all competent authorities and agencies to support the setting up of a “fully functional” joint contact point with Europol, which would be ready to provide support.

“Establishing a functioning Joint Contact Point is key for the effective exchange of operational data with all police agencies and essential for the fight against organised crime, including money laundering and terrorism. Consequent further progress is required to secure citizens against serious crime,” the EU’s office said on Monday, adding that a safer environment for the benefit of all citizens in Bosnia and the EU is a “common goal.”

The EU also recalled that Bosnia was bound by the Operational Agreement with Europol, which is a ratified international agreement and therefore must be implemented.

“Delaying this process already has serious consequences for the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens. This also seriously affects the fight against organised crime and corruption, which is one of the Commission Opinion’s 14 key priorities,” said the statement issued by the EU Delegation/EU Special Representative Office in Sarajevo.