4.1 Presence in Albania processes. During the first phase of the project, 200 DNA samples were collected from all the regions of Albania. The Presence will be monitoring the project through all its stages. From 11 to 15 February, the Presence contracted two experts to conduct a gap analysis on the drugs laboratory of the Police Forensic Institute. This was to assess the current position of the drugs laboratory and identify the changes required at the Forensic Institute in order to receive accreditation in line with international standards. Based on the expert analysis, the Forensic Institute was provided with relevant recommendations. Activities Related to Threats Posed by Criminal Activity Organized Crime On 23 June, the Presence handed over certificates to eight members of the RENEA Special Forces Unit after participating in two training courses. The first course was on setting up and managing covert observation posts in rural areas, while the second was on counter- and anti-surveillance, with the aim of developing participants’ skills and capacities in these areas of policing. Both courses were organized within the framework of the Presence project to address transnational threats and organized crime, delivered by three contracted experts from Northern Ireland. On 4 and 5 December, the Presence supported the Albanian Government in its efforts to fight organized crime through organizing a regional conference “International Co-operation in the fight against Organized Crime”. The conference provided a platform for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, experts and other stakeholders from Albania and its neighbours, to discuss challenges of tackling common transnational threats, with particular focus on organized crime and trafficking of illicit drugs, achievements reached and obstacles. The objective was to increase awareness at regional level on common transnational threats, promote various forms of international law enforcement co-operation among national representatives of the security sector, provide an opportunity for regional networking and increased use of synergies among national representatives of the security sector. Criminal Investigations and Analysis In January, responding to a request by the Albanian State Police, the Presence contracted an expert to assist the police in reviewing and better managing its informant 44 handling system. The expert conducted a series of meetings at the police headquarters and at three regional police directorates in Tirana, Shkodra and Vlora, in order to better understand current procedures on recruitment and handling of informants and other confidential sources, as well as challenges faced in this process. After collecting all the information and data, the expert will conduct a gap analysis and provide recommendations on improving the system. Cross-Border Co-operation in Criminal Matters On 24 February, a high level meeting was organized between the Albanian and the Greek Directors of Border Police. One of the main conclusions of the meeting was to establish the working group who will negotiate the Agreement for the opening of the Police Cooperation Center in Kakavija Border Crossing Point. From 4 to 6 July, following negotiations and signing of Protocols on Cross-border Hot Pursuit between Albania and its neighbours, the Presence and police agencies of Tirana and Pristina co-operated in organizing the third Cross-border Hot Pursuit simulating exercise, held at the Morine border crossing point. The purpose of this exercise was to test the Cross-border Hot Pursuit Protocol, drafted and negotiated in 2015 between Tirana and Pristina. Attending the event were members of the Experts’ Negotiation Working Group, representatives from the prosecution office and customs administration. Participants were familiarized with the legal background and the concept of Cross-border Hot Pursuit through experiences from European countries. In addition, they discussed co-operation between public order and criminal police and prosecution offices. During the exercise, the participants practiced a “real life” scenario at the border crossing point of Morine. During 2017, the Presence continued to support the Border and Migration Police (BMP) through a series of activities intended to reinforce the BMP’s current standards and promote trans-border joint activities, including operations and information sharing, in compliance with recognized international best practices. International co-operation and intelligence sharing is of crucial importance given recent geopolitical developments. Therefore, the Presence, in co-ordination with neighbouring OSCE field operations, supported the BMP in organizing a series of strategic meetings to promote and facilitate international dialogue, cooperation and information exchange. Specific areas included day-to-day operations at the regional level and surveillance and security at the border. In December, the Presence organized three strategic meetings between relevant agencies from Tirana and Pristina, three