NewsStrengthening EMPACT participation: Western Balkans and Eastern partners build operational capacity
As Europe continues to face threats like drug trafficking, cyber-attacks, or migrant smuggling, strengthening cross-border cooperation is important. Against these threats, partners from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions gathered for a workshop designed to boost their operational role in the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).
Organised by WB PaCT and TOPCOP projects within the EMPACT Support Network, in cooperation with Europol, the workshop took place on 24–25 April 2025 at Europol Headquarters in The Hague. It focused on enhancing practical capacities for key EMPACT roles. Participants, including National EMPACT Coordinators (NECs), Operational Action (OA) Leaders and Co-Leaders, Action Participants, and Liaison Officers, engaged in discussions covering OA planning, leadership, communication, reporting, and cross-border cooperation.
The event marked a moment for reinforcing the strategic alignment between the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership beneficiaries, and the EU’s operational crime-fighting priorities under the EMPACT Operational Action Plans (OAPs)
2024–2025 and the European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2025 (EU-SOCTA).
Through expert-led sessions and group work, participants explored key challenges and shared experiences in planning and leading Operational Actions. Exercises included drafting a model Operational Action and discussing the competencies and cooperation mechanisms needed to effectively contribute to EMPACT.
We appreciate the cooperation within the EMPACT Support Network framework, the contributions made, and the knowledge and skills acquired in the fight against organised crime. It also helps us to close existing gaps,” said Garik Khudoyan, Head of Division at the International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
As a next step, the workshop will contribute to the development of tailored guidelines for law enforcement officials from both regions. These guidelines will support them in fulfilling their roles within the EMPACT framework and facilitate the transfer of knowledge within their respective institutions and jurisdictions.
Related Tags
ABOUT EMPACT
Combating new forms of organised crime requires more cooperation between police and gendarmes, customs officers, border guards, judges, and prosecutors. EU institutions, agencies, and Member States work together to tackle organised and serious international crime through a permanent and key instrument: the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).
CEPOL plays a pivotal role in the EMPACT mechanism through the provision of specialised training and the identification of training needs within each common security threat. Every year, CEPOL provides a comprehensive training package for each common EU crime priority consisting of onsite, online and exchange training activities.
