MEPs called on the governments of the Western Balkan countries to significantly increase their efforts to advance reforms in the field of the Rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime, at Parliament’s plenary session on Wednesday 15 December.
In adopting the report by Lukas Mandl (EPP, Austria) (531 votes in favour, 48 against and 117 abstentions), they also called on the EU to support governments’ efforts through financial and technical assistance and practical cooperation.
According to Parliament, the situation with regard to organised crime can be improved by promoting the process of integration into the Union and cooperation with the Member States.
Stressing that the Western Balkans are countries of origin, destination and transit for human trafficking, serving as a transit corridor for migrants and refugees and as a location for money laundering and gun trafficking, Parliament regrets the lack of real political will to fight organised crime.
MEPs also stress the need to eradicate political and administrative links with organised crime through clear safeguards against corruption and effective prosecution of high-level corruption cases.
Moreover, according to Parliament, regional cooperation is essential to effectively fight organised crime.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3sbbipV (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)