Slovenia has also been using the Schengen Information System (SIS) since 1 September 2007 as one of the key compensatory measures. Police cooperation with neighbouring countries is also extremely important for maintaining a high level of security in Slovenia, thus the heads of the Police and Ministry of the Interior are attempting to improve such cooperation, especially with neighbouring countries.

The Memorandum on Reinforcement of Bilateral Police Cooperation prior to and following the abolition of border heads of the Police and Ministry of the Interior are attempting to improve such cooperation, especially with neighbouring countries. The Memorandum on Reinforcement of Bilateral Police Cooperation prior to and following the abolition of border controls at the common State border, for example was signed on 5 November this year by the Ministers of the Interior of Slovenia and Austria, reinforcing and deepening the already good mutual cooperation especially with regard to the fight against cross-border crime.

P1010006The effective implementation of tasks at the state border is also a security interest of Slovenia, for by measures at the external border and through compensatory measures within the country, illegal migration and, even more importantly, cross-border crime which is not limited to the narrow area along the state border will be prevented.

P1010037

Dušan Schoenwetter presented some statistical data to journalists at the press conference. He indicated that SENDM police officers had been very successful in 2007 (up to 19 November 2007):

  • detecting 116 persons who had illegally crossed the state border, as it was ascertained during procedures; additional 27 persons had been apprehended who had committed criminal offences with regard to illegal State border crossings.
  • detecting 38 cases of illicit drug smuggling (with the police seizing 13,043 g of marijuana or its derivatives, 106 g of hashish, 421 g of cocaine, 78 g of heroine, 51 g of speed, 150 g of methadone and 11 tablets of amphetamines);
  • seizing 20 vehicles of a higher price class which were established to have been stolen in the area of the European Union and the Republic of Slovenia;
  • in 5 cases, detecting counterfeit or altered documents presented during procedures;
  • seizing 38 number plates, established to have been stolen and
  • uncovering 23 other criminal offences, predominantly the theft of cell phones and other objects originating from break-ins into homes within Slovenia or from stores.

Since 1 September 2007 when Slovenia began using the Schengen Information System, SENDM police officers have recorded 15 hits, namely 9 hits regarding illegal entry into the Schengen area with one hit regarding a missing person and 5 hits regarding objects which were being sought.

The Police Cooperation Centre Vrata - Megvarje (Thörl - Maglern) also falls under the aforementioned unit, since police officers perform tasks defined in the Decree ratifying the Arrangement between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Federal Government of the Republic of Austria and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia on Cooperation within the Police Centre Vrata - Megvarje (Thörl - Maglern). The Centre supports and accelerates cooperation particularly in the area of cross-border police cooperation, provides support in maintaining public order and safety and in the prevention of cross-border crime and illegal migration while observing the legislation of the signatories within the scope of agreements on police cooperation. Police officers of all three countries have carried out a total of 113,000 different actions together between 3 May 2005 and 30 October 2007.