EMPACT Support Network fosters cooperation against migrant smuggling and document fraud in the Western Balkans

Law enforcement and judicial officials from across the Western Balkans came together in The Hague, the Netherlands, on 22 and 23 October 2025, to discuss the interlinked threats of document fraud and digitally enabled migrant smuggling during the fourth EMPACT Support Network (ESN) workshop.

The event was organised in coordination with the Western Balkans Partnership against Crime and Terrorism (WB PaCT) and the EU Support to Strengthen the Fight against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans  (EU4FAST-WB) projects, in partnership with Europol. Over two days, it brought together law enforcement and judicial practitioners, including National EMPACT Coordinators, border police, and police–prosecutor cooperation officers, alongside experts from Europol, Frontex, EU Member States, and Western Balkan Liaison Officers.

Together, participants examined the latest intelligence picture, trends, and tactics in migrant smuggling and document fraud, with a special emphasis on online platforms, digital monitoring, and investigative tools.

The workshop showcased the strong synergies between the WB PaCT and EU4FAST projects.

“Beyond regular coordination, two key ways in which EU4FAST and WB PaCT complement each other are by supporting different EMPACT Operational Action Plans and by leveraging their respective strengths,” said Jan Muegge, EU4FAST Component Leader.

This activity is part of the EMPACT Support Network (ESN), a dedicated component of the WB PaCT project designed to strengthen EMPACT outreach beyond the EU.

“The workshop served as a platform for establishing new contacts and fostering cooperation among officials from the Western Balkan region who face similar challenges during criminal investigations,” said Albion Restelica, from the Kosovo* Police.

As a follow-up to this workshop, knowledge shared will be compiled into visual and training materials to support future learning and awareness-raising across Western Balkan law enforcement services. These outputs will help strengthen national capacities, foster regional cooperation, and ensure that the expertise gained continues to benefit the Western Balkans’ law enforcement community. 

_{* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and it is in line with the UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.}