- UK to highlight the growing UK-Albania partnership which has
helped to drive down small boats crossings by Albanian nationals
by 90% on last year.
- Trip will also underline the UK’s commitment to protecting
stability in the Western Balkans during Summit of regional
leaders.
- Foreign Secretary to set out UK’s unique offer to the region
as a key partner in upholding its prosperity and security.
The Foreign Secretary, will attend a Summit of
Western Balkan and European leaders today in Albania (16 October)
to urge them to preserve peace and stability amidst a growing
number of tensions across the region.
Cleverly will look to build on the success of the UK’s
partnership with Albania and seek increased cooperation across
the Western Balkans region to tackle the drivers of illegal
migration.
Close collaboration between the two countries has seen Channel
crossings by Albanian nationals fall by 90% since the signing of
the Joint Communiqué in December and a significant increase in
the return of illegal migrants to Albania.
His attendance at the annual Berlin Process Summit in Tirana
follows the deployment of 600 UK troops
in Kosovo to bolster NATO’s peacekeeping mission in response
to a build-up of military along the Serbia-Kosovo border and
violent attacks against Kosovan police.
Ahead of his visit, Foreign Secretary said:
The UK is committed to working with the Western Balkans to tackle
gangs who exploit lives for profit, as well as addressing the
wider security challenges across the region.
Our partnership with Albania is doing just that.
Through increased law enforcement cooperation, we have
driven down small boats arrivals by Albanians by 90% on last
year, and are returning those who have no legal right to remain
in the UK.
The UK will always be a reliable partner standing side-by-side
with the region to promote a prosperous and stable future.
The Foreign Secretary will highlight the UK’s unique role in
supporting the region’s prosperity and security – from bolstering
resilience against malign activity, interference and
cyberattacks, to economic development and working alongside
partners to tackle corruption and serious organised
crime.
The Foreign Secretary will also use the Summit - attended by
senior government representatives from across the Western Balkans
and wider Europe - to galvanise international partners to remain
steadfast in their solidarity with Israel and its fundamental
right to defend itself against Hamas.
While in Tirana, will boost the UK’s ties
with Albania. He will build on the Joint Communiqué agreed
between Prime Ministers and Edi Rama in December 2022.
The Communiqué set out new areas of collaboration on law
enforcement and returns of those arriving illegally in the UK, as
well as strengthening economic development.
At Tirana International Airport, the Foreign Secretary, alongside
the Albanian Interior Minister, will formally open the Police
Command Centre, which houses the UK-Albania Joint Migration
Taskforce responsible for coordinating operational measures and
actions to tackle people smugglers and traffickers facilitating
illegal migrants from Albania to the UK.
To enhance trading ties between the UK and Albania, the Foreign
Secretary will launch the British Chamber of Commerce in the
country. The Chamber, which will help grow the economies of both
countries, will be launched at an event at the Western Balkans
University, a higher education institution that is developing
partnerships with British Universities and providing scholarships
for those under pressure to migrate from northern
Albania.
Background
- The Berlin
Process was set-up in 2014 to as a platform to promote
high-level cooperation between countries in the Western
Balkans.
- Since the signing of the Joint Communiqué in December 2022,
arrivals of Albanian nationals to the UK on small boats has
dropped from over 12,000 to under 1,000.
- Over 3,500 people who had no right to remain in the UK have
been returned to Albania in the same period.
