BELGRADE, 28 January 2011 – The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos, welcomed today the adoption of the Interior Ministry’s 2011-2016 Development Strategy, saying it advances the country's police reform work.

 “This landmark document paves the way for future priorities in police reform and contributes to bringing the Serbian Interior Ministry and the police service in line with modern international standards," Kypreos said.

The strategy provides direction to the Interior Ministry's future efforts and increases the sustainability and cost-efficiency of the police reform process. Key priorities in the strategy include: organization and management, security of citizens and communities, partnership-based policing, police accountability and transparency.

“The adopted strategy incorporates the OSCE Mission's comments and recommendations as well as input from civil society and public debates, making it a strong document,” Kypreos said.

The Interior Ministry, supported by the OSCE Mission, used consultative mechanisms, including public debates, to develop the strategy.