The United Kingdom will host the leaders of six Western Balkan countries and other European leaders in the fall of this year, thus becoming the host of the Berlin Process Summit, writes A2 CNN.
One of the main focuses of the summit will be how to cooperate to prevent the region from being used as a transit route for irregular migration.
Officially known as the Berlin Process, this summit will strengthen cooperation with European partners to help deliver the UK Government's strategy to strengthen borders, dismantle criminal networks and return people who do not have the right to stay to their countries of origin, the British government said in a statement.
One of the UK's most experienced diplomats, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, has been appointed as the UK's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, tasked with advancing Britain's strategic objectives in the region, including preparations for the summit.
This summit is being held at a time when the United Kingdom is developing an unprecedented sanctions regime to target human traffickers operating at the earliest stages of irregular migration.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “The Western Balkans are of great importance to the UK, and our partnerships in the region are essential to tackling irregular migration and the fight against human trafficking. Hosting the Berlin Process in Britain demonstrates our commitment to European security and delivering on the Government’s Agenda for Change.”
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Angela Eagle, added: “Cooperation is key to stopping dangerous migration. That is why, through the Border Security Command, we are rebuilding strong relationships in Europe and beyond to address the shared challenges of migration and secure our borders.”
The British government has already signed new agreements to increase operational cooperation against organised immigration crime with countries such as North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo. This international cooperation, together with a tougher approach to enforcing immigration laws within the UK, will help to disrupt the business model of traffickers at every level.
The hosting of the summit by the United Kingdom, in cooperation with Germany, underlines the British government's commitment to restoring and strengthening its relationship with Europe, creating lasting partnerships to combat the criminal groups that enable irregular migration.
This announcement comes after a meeting between the British Prime Minister and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, where ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security and migration issues were discussed. (A2 Televizion)
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