Ministers of Interior and Security from the Western Balkans Six, the United Kingdom, and representatives of the European Union and its Member States met at Lancaster House on 15 October in London, chaired by the Rt. Hon. Shabana Mahmood, UK Secretary of State for the Home Department. The meeting reaffirmed the region’s shared commitment to cooperation on security, migration, and the fight against organised crime and gender-based violence.
Participants underlined that effective border security is essential for ensuring public trust and regional stability. Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent irregular migration and dismantle organised immigration crime, building on partnerships with Frontex and other international actors. They endorsed the continuation of the Western Balkans Border Directors Forum as part of the Berlin Process, as a permanent platform for information exchange, improving operation cooperation, and sharing best practices.
Discussions also focused on tackling serious and organised crime, including illicit finance, corruption, and drug trafficking. Ministers agreed to deepen collaboration through data-driven operations and intelligence sharing with the support of the UK National Crime Agency. Ministers agreed to develop digital payment infrastructure in cash-intensive sectors to prevent money laundering by organised crime gangs. They reaffirmed support for the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control Roadmap 2025–2030, jointly implemented by the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Regional Cooperation Council. Ministers committed to strengthening the political and legal environment to prevent and combat corruption, such as through advancing the adoption of the International Treaty on the Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations, initiated by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative.
A key focus was on combatting Violence Against Women and Girls, including online and technology-facilitated abuse. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The Western Balkans partners announced their intention to join the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse and recommendation on renewal of the Joint Statement on Gender Equality Mechanisms and Protection against Discrimination, promoting accountability and cooperation across the region.
Across all topics, participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to safeguarding security, democracy, and prosperity in the Western Balkans through continued regional cooperation and shared action under the Berlin Process.
Further information on the meeting and its outcomes can be found here and in the full Chair’s Declaration (click here to download).