Albanian border police are being trained in Zagreb, Croatia by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior Police Academy in cooperation with the German Police Academy. Financial and technical assistance is being given by Frontex, the EU border police.
Frontex has been patrolling the Albanian border since May 2019, in a first mission of its kind outside EU borders.
The training also includes officers from other countries in the region including North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Assistant Director of the Zagreb Police Academy Mirjana Abramovic said “considering that the Western Balkans route continues to be one of the most attractive migrant routes for illegal entry to the EU, it is essential to strengthen the preparedness and capacity of all border police forces in EU member countries and non-member countries, with a special focus on the protection of human rights and treatment of vulnerable groups.”
Abramovic added that the training, taking place in Valbandon was a practical training course that would introduce its 18 participants to EU legislation and methods of ensuring the protection of the EU’s external border.
“As of tomorrow, they will work together in teams and go out into the field. The scenarios have been prepared and after each case, they will have to prepare an operative report in accordance with Frontex procedures,” Abramovic said, noting that the project was designed to strengthen the Interior Ministry’s educational role in the region.
Croatia is currently holding the rotating EU presidency until June 2020.
