Greek, Albanian top policemen set for stronger ties

TIRANA, Aug. 29 – Albanian top policeman Hysni Burgaj and the visiting Greek counterpart, Eleftherios Ikonomou were set in their talks that the two countries had achieved good results in their cooperation but more would be done in the future,
Ikonomou led a delegation with other top police officials who met also with Albanian interior minister Bujar Nishani.
Burgaj highly evaluated the increasing cooperation that has given some good results in the fight against trans-border crime. Illegal trafficking and the like.
Ikonomou considered that successful cooperation as an example among police structures in the Balkans, showing how they should work to fight trans-border crime.
Both sides set ways how to strengthen their cooperation especially in the fight against drug traffic, exchange of information for wanted persons, money laundry and any other form of crime.
They also paid special attention to the cooperation in peak times when hundreds of thousands of Albanian immigrants cross the border between the two countries.
The Greek policeman acknowledged that the defects of the computers had often caused long queues but also said this year it has been much different, also considering an increase of the number of crossings due to the lifting of the visa barrier.
Both sides said that coordination of the work of police on both sides of the border and their direct communication has often resolved such problems at the border.
They agreed to hold joint training seminars with their officials in order to exchange experiences.
Minister Nishani also hailed the successful cooperation and pledged his institution’s full commitment to an increased one in the future.