The American government donated modern equipment and 215 computers worth about 210 thousand dollars to the Albanian border police on Tuesday, to support the fight against illegal trafficking and cross-border crime.
The aid is within the framework of the Program for Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) and aims to address the needs of the border police along the Albanian border.
Since 2003, the EXBS program has provided knowledge, training and equipment donations to help Albania strengthen its borders and advance regional stability.
At the donation ceremony, held at Kakavija Point on the border with Greece, the US Chargé d’Affaires in Albania, David Wisner, said that “it is an honor for me and my team to be here today, to support these friends magnificent with intelligence and computer equipment, which highlight, even in part, how much we are committed to Albania’s security. As a NATO ally, the security of Albania is also the security of the USA”.
Mr. Wisner further said that “the daily work you all do, to fight illegal migration, crime, drugs and challenges for the future of Europe, is deeply appreciated, of course also by your friends at the US Embassy in Tirana , but also from our leadership in Washington”.
“Internal security starts with external security and you are on the front line and for that we are very grateful.. We believe that the tools and equipment will make a major impact, help you to empower, capture and detaining those persons who are not trying to do good things for your country, and we strongly encourage you to do so,” Mr. Wisner said.
While the Albanian interior minister, Taulant Balla, said that the Border and Migration Department has benefited from cooperation with US law enforcement agencies and programs funded by the American Government, in counseling, exchange of experience, training of police officers. Border and Migration, strengthening technical and logistical capacities.
“I take the opportunity to thank the US Government, through the acting ambassador, Mr. Wisner, for the support provided in a series of programs financed by the USA and I wish that this cooperation will deepen even further in the future”, said the Minister of the Interior.
Mr. Balla specifically mentioned the equipment donated within the program and the role in fighting cross-border crime.
“A significant support has been provided in vehicles and equipment such as patrol vehicles with high mobility, thermal cameras, day and night binoculars, bulletproof vests, GPS, SMARTDEC cameras, flashlights, etc.,” said Minister Balla.
According to Mr. Balla, “the impact of these devices, on the work of police structures, has been tangible and very efficient”.
“We find that the use of “SMARDEC” cameras has increased the detection force against drug trafficking, illegal border crossing and smuggling of goods,” he said.