The Consultative Forum of General and Special Chief Prosecutors of the Western Balkan region called for enhanced regional cooperation and encouraged exchanges between the Western Balkan Partners, reaffirming their common goals in the fight against organised crime, and outlining the role Eurojust can play in supporting them.

During his opening remarks, Eurojust President, Mr Ladislav Hamran, highlighted: ‘Our partners in the Western Balkans are critically important for Eurojust. The ever increasing caseload, which in 2023 stood at 708 investigations in which prosecutors and judges from across the Western Balkans were involved, confirms the potential of our cooperation. Together with the help of the EU’s Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project, I look forward to our partners’ further integration in the EU security chain.’

The Forum was organised in the context of the WBCJ project, implemented by Eurojust. The WBCJ aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation in criminal matters within the Western Balkans and with the European Union. The project provides support to cross-border investigations through financial assistance, knowledge sharing, technical assistance and capacity building activities at Eurojust and in the region.

Since the project’s start in September 2022, seven cross-border cases have been supported in the Western Balkans, including four joint investigation teams. The cases mainly concerned drug trafficking, money laundering and money counterfeiting. Moreover, the project also supported 13 cases between Western Balkan partners and EU Member States.

Supreme State Prosecutor of Montenegro Milorad Marković, co-organiser of the Regional Consultative Forum, commented on the joint challenge of eradicating organised crime in the region: ‘We will achieve this goal faster and easier by improving mutual cooperation and cooperation with international partners, such as Eurojust. This cooperation must be direct, fast and simple, free from often lengthy bureaucratic procedures. I am convinced that all of us gathered here share this commitment.’

The WBCJ project also encourages knowledge sharing between judicial authorities. Several events have been organised in the region on encrypted messages, migrant smuggling and the prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters. These events ensure that prosecutors are equipped with the right knowledge for their investigations.