Albania is set to embark on a significant investment initiative aimed at bolstering its border security and management infrastructure. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has recently put forth for public consultation the draft decision for the 2024-2025 Action Plan, signaling a commitment to fortify the country's 1,094-kilometer-long land border.
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| Border Control Area at Kakavijë |
According to the document, approximately 1.9 billion lekë will be allocated for managing 657 kilometers of land borders, 316 kilometers of coastal borders, 48 kilometers of river borders, and 73 kilometers of lake borders. The remaining funds will be directed towards facilitating trade and human traffic at customs checkpoints, as well as receiving and processing asylum seekers of various nationalities.
The interventions outlined in the Action Plan aim to enhance and streamline the legal framework for integrated border management, increase capacities, strengthen preventive measures against cross-border crime, improve data exchange with regional and international partners, enhance interagency cooperation, and modernize citizen and cargo circulation services.
Beyond bolstering security across nearly 29,000 square kilometers of the country's territory, the Ministry of Internal Affairs views the Action Plan as a significant step closer to European Union integration.
"The Action Plan supports Albania's strategic and political aim of EU accession through progress and institutional consolidation, capacity building and modernization, infrastructure and system improvement, service modernization and facilitation, and institutional, regional, and international cooperation strengthening."
The majority of the funds allocated for implementing the 2024-2025 Action Plan, totaling 2.7 billion lekë or 78% of the total, will come from the state budget. The remaining portion will be covered by partner states such as the United States and European Union countries, reaffirming the collaborative effort towards bolstering Albania's border management capabilities.
This investment signifies Albania's commitment to enhancing its security infrastructure, aligning with international standards, and advancing its integration process into the European Union. As the country continues to progress, effective border management remains a critical aspect of ensuring national security and facilitating regional cooperation and development.