Minister of the Interior Taulant Balla received General Stuart Skeates, the UK Government’s Special Coordinator for Illegal Immigration. The meeting took place within the framework of the Joint Supervisory Committee for the fight against illegal immigration and other criminal phenomena.

In his speech, Minister Balla emphasized that there are ZERO small boats with Albanian immigrants on their way to Great Britain in January 2024. In the meeting with General Stuart Skeates, Balla shared the significant results of the Joint Task Force. There has been a 93% decrease in cases of Albanian immigrants compared to last year.

“Albania remains a reliable partner in the common fight against illegal immigration, organized crime and drug trafficking,” the British general emphasized.
The meeting with the two high-ranking British officials took place shortly after the official visit of Minister Balla to Great Britain in November 2023, during which the Declaration of Cooperation on Internal Affairs/Organized Crime and Serious Crimes was signed between Albania and Great Britain. United Kingdom.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized that Albanian structures need logistical support and equipment from the British party, as experience shows that such support brings maximum results.
Minister Balla underlined the need to enforce the decisions of the British courts for Albanian citizens who have been convicted there and returned to Albania. During the meeting, it was also emphasized that the promotion of legal migration by facilitating procedures for family reunification or seasonal employment remains the most effective way to combat illegal immigration.

In October last year, Balla received in Albania the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, with whom he visited Rinas to see the installation of equipment donated by the UK for the purpose of border control.