EU and the Balkans co-operate against human trafficking

EU and the Balkans co-operate against human trafficking

Germany and France have agreed to establish joint expert working groups with Albania and Serbia.

The EU is engaging Balkan countries to slow the tide of human trafficking from the Middle East, Africa and Asia by providing additional support for refugees who legally arrive in Union states.

The EU said it stands ready to provide up to 6,000 euros for each refugee admitted to member states, said Michele Cercone, European Commission Home Affairs spokesperson.

Cercone said the European Commission has proposed that member states relocate part of the refugees from the refugee camps to third-party states via UN projects.

About 4,500 persons were relocated in 11 EU member states in 2012.

"There are 17 countries that can do much more and their actions can mark the difference between life and death for many persons. If all member states join their attempts in the relocation programs ... we will be able to relocate tens of thousands of more persons," Cercone said.

About 800 immigrants have been intercepted by Albanian police this year on their way to western EU countries, having initially made their way to Greece.

Vlora police reported it arrested an Albanian citizen after he trafficked people from Syria, Eritrea and Senegal on 17 occasions.

Police said traffickers charge 2,000 euros on a route that usually carries immigrants via the route from Greece to Serbia, or from Greece to Albania and Montenegro.

Trafficking has become one of the most profitable activities in the Mediterranean, especially after the police more effectively suppressed drug trafficking, said Ilir Kulla, former advisor to the Albania president.

"The...