EUROPOL office in Tirana, Lleshaj: Albania 'de facto' in the EU

Sandër Lleshaj speaking on the Europol office in Tirana 

 From now and on, EUROPOL will have an office in Tirana, making thus possible for one Europol officer to work in a special office in the State Police to intensify the co-operation.

The Interior Minister Sandër Lleshaj at the opening ceremony of this office praised this achievement and considered it a deepening of cooperation with this important institution.

Such a thing, as Lleshaj said, shows that Albania is "de facto" integrated into the EU.

"Our effort to integrate into the European Union is becoming more and more concrete and practical. The launch of the FRONTEX operation at the Albanian borders is an important step, which takes place for the first time in a country outside the EU. Even the opening of the EUROPOL Office in Tirana is the first in the region...In a way, we are taking steps that mark some kind of de facto integration. And this approach, this de facto integration into the EU, I believe is the right path to achieve slowly and securely towards de jure integration," Lleshaj explained.

Focusing on the cooperation, the minister said that Albanian policemen are bound to gain the trust of the international partners.

"I guarantee to the EUROPOL team the full support of the Albanian Government and the Ministry of Interior", - said the Minister.