Albania and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, have renewed their deal for joint border management and fight against international crime.
The deal was signed by Albanian Police Chief Ardi Veliu and Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri during an online ceremony on Wednesday, also attended by Minister of Interior Bledar Çuçi and representatives of other EU institutions.
It comes after one year and a half of joint border control between Albanian police and Frontex officers in the country’s southern border. The deployment to Albania was the first time for a Frontex force outside an EU member state.
Frontex has 71 officers from 20 EU countries controlling Albania’s border with Greece, and combating crime, smuggling, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism.
On Wednesday, Frontex announced the appointment of a liaison officer to the Western Balkans, who will be based in Tirana, with a regional mandate covering Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Another officer is based in Belgrade since three years, covering Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia.
Read more: Frontex Guards Could Be Armed in Greece by Summer
