Zagreb, 14/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the end of the fourth meeting of the Stability Pact for the Balkans, in Zagreb on 12 and 13 June, Croatia, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Albania undertook, with the help of the EU, to combat illegal immigration together.
To that end, the five countries agreed to set up a team of experts which will have as partners officials from EU members and from candidate States. The Union undertook to provide assistance of 30 million euro to tighten security at the borders in the region, the latter having become favoured crossing points for illegal immigrants coming to the EU. The governments of the countries of the region also agreed to step-up cooperation between their police forces, notably through joint training. In addition, training courses on combating illegal immigration and trafficking in women, children and drugs will be organised over the next few months for police officers.