Budva, Montenegro – On Saturday, Serbia’s Minister of Justice in a technical mandate, Nenad Vujić, addressed participants at the EU‑Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Internal Affairs, reiterating the country’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, protecting children’s rights, and deepening judicial cooperation with the European Union and regional partners.

Vujić said that throughout 2026 Serbia has refined both the legislative and institutional framework for combating corruption. He pointed to recent amendments that tighten the legal basis for asset confiscation stemming from criminal offences and noted ongoing revisions of the Criminal Code to bring it fully into line with recommendations issued by the European Commission, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the Moneyval committee, which evaluates anti‑money‑laundering and counter‑terrorism financing measures.

A major focus of the minister’s remarks was the enhancement of international judicial cooperation, particularly with the EU’s Agency for Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (Eurojust). Vujić called for a stronger role for the agency, increased participation of Serbian judges in cross‑border mechanisms, and the creation of joint investigative teams to improve the efficiency of transnational cases.

In the forum’s segment on child rights, Vujić announced that Serbia has prepared a draft of a new Law on Juvenile Offenders and the Protection of Minors in Criminal Proceedings. The draft is currently being aligned with European standards, aiming to balance accountability for minors with rehabilitative measures.

Addressing the persistent problem of sexual exploitation and trafficking of children, the minister highlighted the existence of a special register of convicted individuals. He advocated for a permanent, non‑erasable database covering relevant categories of offenders, arguing that such a tool would bolster prevention and enforcement.

Vujić also emphasized the need to adapt criminal‑law protection to emerging forms of child abuse in the digital environment, signalling that legislative and procedural updates are under discussion to better tackle online exploitation.

The statements were released in a formal communiqué from the Ministry of Justice. No specific timelines were given for the adoption of the draft juvenile law or the permanent offender register, but Vujić assured that both initiatives are priority items on the government’s agenda for the coming months.

The minister’s appearance at the EU‑Western Balkans forum underscores Serbia’s ongoing effort to align its justice system with EU expectations, a prerequisite for deeper integration and for securing continued cooperation on cross‑border crime and child protection.

Sources (learn more):

insajder.net — https://insajder.net/prenosimo/ministar-pravde-u-tehnickom-mandatu-srbija-posvecena-jacanju-vladavine-prava