(ANSA) - BELGRADE - The Western Balkans are among places of
Islamic extremists' recruitment, and the route across these
countries is often used to let potential terrorists enter
Europe. This strong warning comes from the US ambassador to
Serbia Kyle Scott, who spoke in Belgrade today at a conference
focusing on prevention of violent extremism in Serbia,
organized by the local OSCE delegation.
The Isis, the US diplomat said, has a propaganda strategy for
the Balkans, using the languages of the region in the social
networks to recruit potential terrorists. Scott cited a report
by the State Department, underling that in 2015 terrorism has
hit 92 countries, killing or wounding tens of thousands of
people. ''We are all exposed to the risk of terrorism - the
American ambassador said - and we have to be extremely cautious
about it and unite strengths in the fight against Islamic
extremism and religious radicalization''. Serbia's commitment to
fighting against terrorism was also emphasized by the Interior
Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, according to whom 28 Serbian
citizens have reached Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the
jihadist formations. In addition to constant monitoring to
disrupt the recruitment, the government in Belgrade is
committed, in particular, to cutting off channels of terrorist
financing.
The minister said that among the proposals submitted to the EU
by Serbia is the creation of a regional centre for the Balkans'
deradicalisation, by investing mainly in the young generations.
''Only if we are united we will be able to get results'' in the
hard fight against extremism and terrorism, said Stefanovic. The
conference - organized by OSCE and Interior Ministry of Serbia,
and financed by US and UK governments - was also attended by the
head of the OSCE mission in Serbia, Ambassador Andrea Orizio,
and the Deputy chief of Mission of the British Embassy in
Belgrade, Tracy Gallagher.
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