Press Release

At the meeting "The challenge of combating the organized crime and terrorism and the cooperation in Southeast Europe", the head of the General Prosecution of Albania said that "What the countries of the region have not managed to do each one separately, now is the time to unite to face the common challenges ".

General Prosecutor of Albania, Mr. Adriatik Llalla says that Balkan citizens who joined terrorist formations are people that live in extreme poverty conditions or with very low education and these people do not represent the society attitude of Eastern European associated with peace and safety in the world.

These comments were said by Mr. Llalla during the meeting "The challenge of combating the organized crime and terrorism and the cooperation in Southeast Europe", which was held in Pristine on Friday (May 12,2014), attended by representatives of the prosecution institutions by entire Balkans.
The General Prosecutor of Albania also stated that the countries of the region have contributed on the combating of groups that deal with recruitment and financing of the so-called "foreign wars", who intend to engage in armed conflicts outside Europe. Referring to the role of the Albanian authorities in this global challenge, Mr. Llalla said that "in this regard, Albania has had the support and assistance of our strategic partners, the United States of America and the European Union".

The General Prosecutor of Albania, Mr. Adriatik Llalla, in his full text of speech, said:
Some months ago we met in Tirana, where we established a new standard of regional cooperation on the fight against organized crime. From that meeting, our contacts have increased significantly and are accompanied by concrete cases of success.
Organised crime remains a challenge that transcends the boundaries of a state, even the boundaries of regions, turning into an international concern that requires commitment and willingness on the part of law enforcement institutions of each country.

Balkans, due to its geographical position, is a coveted territory for criminal groups to exercise and strengthen their activities. Means and mechanisms of organized crime are increasingly sophisticated and therefore the reaction of law enforcement agencies should continue to be more efficient. In this context, the meetings of this level, accompanied by concrete actions in field, are seen as a positive path towards strengthening the rule of law.

Meanwhile, we must stand together to another challenge, the fight against terrorism.
Conflicts in the Middle East have also absorbed different citizens of the Balkans at wars which neither belong to them nor bring peace. Rather it has only one purpose: to spread terror and cause incertitude in the world.

All Balkan countries are prominently listed against terror and each country has its role in deterring and fighting the groups and individuals who organize the recruitment and financing of persons who intend to join the conflicts in Asia.
It is clearly indicated that the Balkan citizens who joined terrorist formations are people in extreme poverty conditions or with very low education. So it is evident that the Balkans, in general, do not support terror, but only the people who are characterized by low culture and lack of financial resources join them.

However, despite the reasons that push these people to be involved in conflicts in the Middle East, they are already considered the main global enemies. Balkan peoples, who throughout the history have found themselves involved in long-term conflicts, have already understood that peace and harmony is the right path towards development.

This is why countries of Eastern European strongly support the coalition against terror.
In Albania, in March 2014, has been a successful operation against a group that organized the recruitment and funding of various persons to involve in the conflict in Syria. Since then, in the Albanian territory there is a kind of wince of this type of activity.
Also, a deterrent to them have been the changes in the Criminal Code, which have significantly toughened the penalties for each person who seeks recruitment and funding of those who are called "foreign fighters".
In general, in Albania, but I am sure in all Balkan countries, authorities have prominently displayed opposition to terrorism.

In this global challenge, Albania has had the support and assistance of our strategic partners, the United States of America and the European Union.
This support, which has been present in the assistance and information, will now move to a higher level. Department of Justice and the US State Department are investigating the possibility of sending anti-terror prosecutors in Balkan countries, to assist law enforcement authorities in the region.

Also, through the assistance of the European Union, the Balkans is expected to create a coordination centre for combating terrorism.
So, the Balkans is the focus of superpowers aiming peace in the world. What is required from us is to strengthen coordination and cooperation to prove that our region is a factor of stability and security.
What we have not managed to do each one separately now is the time to unite to face the common challenges".

Date 5/12/2014