Tirana, 3 November 2022 (MIA) - On the first day of the EU - Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs in Tirana with a focus on internal affairs and security issues, the Minister of the Interior of Albania, Bledi Çuçi, said that this forum has a special importance due to the “radical change of the global security environment, thus referring to the Russian aggression in Ukraine.” Çuçi also added that the Western Balkans has made and continues to make its contribution to the security of EU countries, especially in the context of illegal migration or the fight against organized crime. Referring to the conflict in Ukraine, Çuçi emphasized that Albania, from the first moment of this conflict, has stood by the law by condemning this serious act. "The war, in addition to cruelty and brutality, is also bringing great consequences to the stability and security of European countries and beyond. Therefore, the enlargement policy is essential for the future of the countries that aspire to be part of the EU, as in the case of the countries of the Western Balkans. Our countries are continuing cooperation at the regional level, including the field of security within the framework of Open Balkan or the Berlin Process. This cooperation has already increased mutual trust by significantly improving our manner of working,” Çuçi said. Referring to the latest Progress Report of the EU, Çuçi said that Albania is making progress towards strengthening the rule of law with important reforms in the justice system, the fight against organized crime and corruption. Regarding migration, the Minister of the Interior said that the legal basis of Albania is mainly aligned with that of the EU. In addition to the Czech Minister of the Interior, Vít Rakušan and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, the Ministers of the Interior of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, senior representatives of EUROPOL, FRONTEX, the Anti-Terrorism Coordinator in the EU as well as representatives of Sweden and Spain, participated in the ministerial.