UK leads EU police mission to Albania
Britain's fight against serious organised crime and illegal migration has been given a boost by the UK's success in its bid to lead the EU Police Mission to Albania in partnership with the Albanian government.
The Mission will work with the Albanian police to deal with the threat from organised crime in-country, reducing the threat to the UK and other EU Member States, and helping to improve Albanians' confidence in their police service. Crime networks based in Albania pose a direct criminal threat to the UK, in particular organised criminal activity such as vice and people trafficking.
Minister for Counter Terrorism and Policing, Tony McNulty said: "Our successful bid to lead the EU Police Mission to Albania demonstrates the UK Government's continuing commitment to tackle crime at its source and support other countries to tackle criminality. Tackling serious organised crime is a priority for the Government. The Mission to Albania will enable us to build on our commitment to help the Albanian authorities address this issue and is of great importance to both the UK and the EU."
Director General for the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Bill Hughes said: "SOCA is delighted to be able to contribute to the successful delivery of PAMECA III, which we see as being wholly complementary with our ongoing work in Albania. Furthermore, this demonstrates our commitment to working with our UK partners and host Governments to tackle the International dimension of harm caused to the UK by organised crime."
The Home Office has prioritised efforts to develop the ability of the Albanian law enforcement authorities to tackle organised crime, particularly by helping to reform Albanian law enforcement institutions and support the improvement of their policing capability. This project is a practical example of the way in which co-ordinated EU activity to deal with cross-border problems like organised crime and illegal migration delivers real benefits to the UK.
The successful British bid for PAMECA will further influence Albanian policing and political thinking and complement ongoing assistance provided through work already undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service, Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Whitehall partners.
The Mission will be fully funded by the European Commission and will have a budget of €5.5 million over the next three years. The previous mission expired at the end of December and was overseen by the Interior Ministry of Germany.
