Border and Migration Police The PiA continued providing sustained capacity building assistance to the Albanian BMP, aimed at improving cross-border co-operation between Albania and neighbouring countries. This included a comprehensive set of activities – from training of BMP officials and the provision of equipment (e.g. biometric passport readers, etc.), to supporting joint exchange of information with fellow border police bodies and, in general, operational synergies that further border security co-operation and contribute to tackling transnational crime. The Presence, for instance, facilitated and participated in bi-monthly joint meetings between the Albanian Border Police and fellow police bodies from neighbouring countries (mainly the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro). Such meetings help to expand the exchange of information and to identify training needs. In May, the PiA organized a joint training between border police officers from Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The training focused on specimen Albanian biometric passports and ID cards. Trainees (30 in total) came from Gorica, Tushemisht and Qafe Thana Border Crossing Points. In terms of practical deliverables, the Presence played a crucial role in the establishment of a Joint Information Exchange Centre between Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – from conception to the training of officers and the provision of equipment. Building on this positive project, the Presence also supported similar projects related to the establishment of additional Centres of this kind across the region, particularly with regard to Montenegro (in partnership with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro) and Greece. Trafficking in Human Beings In 2012, in line with the relevant PC Decision No. 1049, the Presence supported the enhancement of law enforcement agencies’ capacities, with a particular focus on improving co-operation among all stakeholders and agencies in the area of trafficking in labour exploitation – which, in spite of evidence pointing to upward trends, remained inadequately addressed. For instance, at the institutional level, some of the activities led by the Presence included the establishment of co-operation with the State Labour Inspectorate and the Police Migration Directorate; the organization of seminars for labour inspectors, anti-trafficking and border police, and social services; and the development of information leaflets on migration and anti-trafficking, distributed at the Centre for Irregular Migrants and border crossing points. Secondly, the Presence, in co-operation with state agencies and NGOs, continued to promote the protection of witnesses and victims of trafficking. In 2012, the Presence provided funding to local NGOs which run shelters for victims of trafficking. This included the provision of counselling and basic living support for 37 victims of trafficking. Drug Trafficking The PiA, in partnership with other international actors, has long been involved in the improvement of the Albanian State Police’s capacities to fight drug trafficking (in particular cannabis), a fundamental problem in Albania and the broader region. This has included, for instance, the improvement of border controls and provision of relevant training to police, against a backdrop of institutional weaknesses in terms of intelligence management, training deficiencies and procedural problems. In 2012 alone, the Presence contributed significantly to the State Police’s achievements in the recovery of over 7 tons of cannabis, produced in Albania and intended to be trafficked out of the country. The Presence continued working with the State Police and other partners to overcome identified weaknesses – e.g. intelligence-gathering on operations against organized crime. 46