Cooperation in the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans

Unequivocal support for the European perspective of Western Balkan countries was reiterated by participants at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brdo on 6 October 2021, as well as in the European Commission's October 2021 enlargement package reports. Nevertheless, the Commission insists that all countries in the region need to continue to accelerate and deepen reforms on independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption, and the fight against transnational organised crime. Progress on the rule of law is part of the ‘fundamentals’, that remain open throughout accession negotiations, as it is considered essential and will determine the overall pace of the negotiations. International cooperation, such as agreements and joint actions with Europol, Eurojust, and Frontex are crucial as well. The European Parliament is set to vote during the December 2021 plenary session on an own-initiative report on cooperation in the fight against organised crime in the Western Balkans.