Justice and Migration ministers begin diplomatic mission to Albania and Kosovo
Belgian Justice minister Annelies Verlinden and Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt began a three-day diplomatic mission to Albania and Kosovo on Monday. The visit focuses on addressing prison overcrowding and the fight against organised crime.
To relieve chronic overcrowding in Belgian prisons, the government is exploring the possibility of renting or building a prison abroad for non-resident offenders. The ministers will hold exploratory talks on the idea of doing so in Albania or Kosovo during their visit to the countries.
Verlinden and Van Bossuyt will also press Albania to take back its nationals currently detained in Belgium. There are 307 Albanians in Belgian prisons, 253 of whom do not have the right to remain in the country.
“If those who have been convicted here and do not have the right to reside in Belgium can serve their sentence in their country of origin, this means the punishment is properly enforced while also easing pressure on our prison system,” Verlinden said.
Fighting organised crime
The mission will also include discussions on a letter of intent regarding asset sharing, allowing part of the criminal proceeds seized in Albania or Kosovo as a result of Belgian-led investigations to be returned to the Belgian treasury.
In Kosovo, the delegation will also discuss a bilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance to strengthen long-term judicial cooperation.
Verlinden praised the cooperation with both countries. Kosovo, she said, is increasingly surfacing in Belgian criminal files as a hub for money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. Albania remains a key partner in combating drug trafficking, with Albanian criminal networks active in the port of Antwerp.
“The Western Balkans is now a key region in our fight against organised crime. I want to build on the mutual trust that has grown through close cooperation in recent years,” Verlinden said.
© BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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