Representatives of the Council, the EU Commission, and the Albanian government joined forces to sign a new agreement on operational cooperation for border management between the European Union and Albania with the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
A press release from the EU commission claims that improving operational collaboration between the Western Balkan nations and Frontex will aid in managing unauthorized border crossings and migration while preserving security at the external borders, according to EU Helpers.

The revised status from 2019 is included in the new agreement, which also permits the deployment of Frontex Standing Corps officers at the borders between Albania and the other Western Balkan nations.

After it is signed, the agreement can be implemented provisionally with the support of the Albanian Parliament, but its final conclusion requires the approval of the European Parliament and a Council decision. Additionally, on behalf of the Albanian government, it must complete the last ratification procedures.

The agreement was signed concurrently with the Berlin Process meeting of interior ministers, which was hosted by Taulant Balla, the interior minister of Albania.

Participants included ministers from Western Balkans partners, several EU Ministers, representatives of EU Agencies, the United Kingdom, and international organizations. They had the chance to discuss cybersecurity, which is a threat to the security of these countries, integrated border management, and cooperation to fight organized crime.

The action comes in response to a rise in the number of travelers travelling through the nation erratically, with the Western Balkan route being one of the busiest. Between January and July, there were approximately 52,232 unauthorized border crossings along this route, which is 26% less than the previous year.

The most popular route for incoming migrants, however, is still the Central Mediterranean route, which saw a popularity increase of 155%. More specifically, 89,047 travelers used this route to travel to Europe.

The phenomenon of smugglers offering reduced fees for migrants leaving from Libya and Tunisia during intense competition among criminal organizations may be related to the increase in migratory strain on this route.

Regrettably, water travel is still incredibly risky. More than 2,060 persons went missing in the Mediterranean between January and July, with the Central Mediterranean route accounting for the great majority of cases, according to IOM data.

As of July, there have been 23,388 border crossings along the Central Mediterranean route and 13,653 over the Western Balkan route.