Ministers have finalized their joint report on aerial monitoring in Albania

Ministers have finalized their joint report on aerial monitoring in Albania

The Conference held for the presentation of ‘The conclusive report on the mission of aerial monitoring 2017, in the fight against cultivation of narcotics’ was held today at the Palace of Congress.

The conference was attended by the Albanian State Police, Italian State Police and EU Mission.

The Minister of Interior for Albania, Fatmir Xhafaj and the Minister of Interior for Italy, Marco Minniti have concluded in the report that the 2017 aerial monitoring operation, covering areas of cannabis cultivation, was successful.

The report from the Guardia di Finanza on the aerial monitoring indicates that the cannabis crops have reduced this year.

Despite this, the Italian minister focused on another fight for which Italy will always support the Albanian government, that is, the fight against the “untouchable” members in criminal organizations.

The declarations by the Italian Minister of Interior come at a time when investigations into the former minister of interior for Albania, Saimir Tahiri, are in progress.

“We must strike the big organizations which manage trafficking. We must strike the ‘untouchables’, because in Italy, in Europe, even Albania, no one is untouchable.

“This is the most important objective for which we must work together” – said the Italian minister, further adding:
“A dangerous game is being played in the Balkan and in Europe and we face three challenges.

“The challenge against trafficking of cannabis and other narcotic substances, the challenge against illegal migration and the challenge against terrorism.

“A full and conscious international collaboration is necessary in regards to these issues”.

The Minister of Interior, Fatmir Xhafaj declared that the Albanian government is determined to fight criminal organizations and to confiscate all assets acquired via criminal activities.

“The first phase of the process was successful. The results of this year show we have made progress.

“The battle continues to be even stronger against those who have financed and organized criminal business.

“It is not an easy battle, but we are determined to catch everybody involved by following them step-by-step” – declared Xhafaj.

EMISIONET