European Border and Coast Guard Agency strengthens operational cooperation with Albania

Background and further information:

Once in force, the agreement allows the Agency to provide assistance in the field of external border management and enables European Border and Coast Guard Agency teams to be swiftly deployed on Albanian territory in case of a sudden shift in migratory flows.

This Agreement was initialled just after the European Commission put forward its strategy for the Western Balkans, which includes strengthened cooperation on areas like security and migration.

+ Communication on a 'credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans', February 2018

The European Commission initialled on 12 February 2018 a draft status agreement for operational cooperation between the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and Albania.

• Primary Source

Reuters, 12.02.18: Albania agrees to allow EU police on its territory to handle immigration https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1FW1SL

Euronews, 12.02.18: EU signs border agreement with Albania http://www.euronews.com/2018/02/12/eu-signs-border-agreement-with-albania

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