"Everywhere in the world intelligence services and the police keep notes about people which used companies for criminal activities, so it is the same here," said Kirin, adding that in compiling the black list the police would cooperate with intelligence services, but also with the Tax Administration and the Office for the Suppression of Money Laundering.
Kirin said cooperation with Europol would help Croatia supervise its ports and incoming cargo better.
Underlining the importance of combating money laundering, he said cooperation had been agreed with Russia in order to prevent Croatia from becoming a safe haven for Russian power-wielders who might purchase real estate on the Adriatic coast in order to launder money earned through crime.
Europol chief Ratzel said the Balkans was one of the most problematic regions for the European Union and that Croatia should be one of the most important factors in crime prevention in the Western Balkans.
Ratzel said Europol would help Croatia by providing strategic, analytical and operational information. He added he expected Croatia to have soon its representative at the Europol HQ in The Hague, which comprises 31 employees for liaison with national police forces.
An Europol delegation is on a two-day visit to Croatia to learn about the organisation and work of the police and discuss the implementation of an agreement on operational and strategic cooperation which went into force in August, making Croatia an associate member of Europol.