Strengthening the Fight against Environmental Crime in South-Eastern Europe
A regional conference in Plitvice Lakes National Park addressed cooperation in combating environmental crime.
The regional conference “Strengthening the Fight against Environmental Crime in South-Eastern Europe” was held on 14 and 15 November 2023 in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Organised by the Embassy of France in Croatia and the Croatian Ministry of the Interior within the framework of French-Croatian cooperation, the conference brought together approximately 80 representatives of law-enforcement and judicial authorities, international organisations, European professional networks, academia and civil society from 13 countries. Prof. Dr Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović participated in the conference at the invitation of the Embassy of France in Serbia.
The discussions focused on the challenges faced by South-Eastern European countries in preventing, detecting and prosecuting environmental crime. Particular attention was devoted to aligning national legislation with the EU acquis, developing national strategies, establishing specialised institutional structures and strengthening regional cooperation. The topics addressed included the illegal trafficking and disposal of inert and hazardous waste, trafficking in protected species and illegal logging.
The programme examined the role of civil society and relations between public authorities and citizens, the contribution of international organisations and European professional networks, the specialisation of police and judicial authorities, and good practices in law enforcement. Participants were also introduced to the experience of specialised French institutions responsible for environmental protection, public health, biodiversity and customs control.
The discussions demonstrated that the transboundary nature of environmental crime requires coordinated action by the police, customs authorities, inspectorates, public prosecutors and courts, as well as the timely exchange of information between countries. Prof. Dr Drenovak-Ivanović’s participation facilitated an exchange of experience concerning how alignment with EU law, institutional specialisation and regional cooperation can contribute to the more effective detection, investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of environmental crime. These insights are relevant to JMC EECL teaching and research on the criminal-law protection of the environment, the enforcement of EU environmental law and the role of competent institutions.