TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ – Albania is an integral part of Europe’s security architecture and an active partner in addressing cross-border threats, Interior Minister Ervin Demo said on Tuesday, calling for stronger regional cooperation to tackle emerging security challenges.
“Albania is not Europe’s backyard. We are part of its front door, and that door must be secure,” Demo said as he opened an international conference in Tirana entitled “Regional Security: Emerging Risks, Stronger Cooperation.”
The event brought together Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary-General Amer Kapetanović, representatives of Italy’s Interior Ministry, the Italian Embassy, the EU Delegation and regional countries.
Demo said Albania’s security was inseparable from that of Europe, adding that no country could tackle emerging threats alone.
International organised crime, illicit trafficking, cyber threats and new forms of criminal activity increasingly transcend national borders and often move faster than institutions can respond, he said.
He called for stronger institutions, faster intelligence-sharing, greater technological capabilities and joint operations.
Albania’s progress in combating organised crime was also recognised in the European Commission’s 2026 report, Demo said, highlighting closer cooperation with EU member states and European agencies, stepped-up anti-drug operations, increased joint patrols and stronger capabilities to trace criminal assets.
He also pointed to progress in strengthening capacity and international cooperation against cybercrime.
However, Demo said further efforts were needed, particularly in financial investigations and in securing convictions for financial crimes, including offences linked to cybercrime, trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
He also stressed the need to improve technical capabilities for analysing digital evidence and protecting critical infrastructure.
Referring to last week’s meeting of regional interior ministers in Budva, Montenegro, Demo said discussions had focused on shared security challenges in the digital age, including protecting children from online abuse, internet fraud, migrant smuggling and the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The meeting also involved European agencies Frontex, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and Europol.
Another key item on the conference agenda was the presentation of preliminary findings from the regional Secure Meter 2026 initiative, which measures public perceptions of security and levels of trust across the region.
Demo stressed the importance of reliable data and evidence in developing more effective policies and identifying areas requiring greater institutional intervention.
Addressing representatives of participating countries, he highlighted the strategic importance of the EU-Western Balkans Security Partnership, noting that security on both sides of the Adriatic was closely interconnected.
“Albania is not seeking to shield itself from Europe’s problems. We want to be part of the solution,” Demo said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to a safer, more stable and resilient European security environment.
He concluded that security cooperation was not merely a priority but a prerequisite for economic development, investment, progress and European integration.
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