Organized crime is one of the main obstacles to the development of the Western Balkan region, according to the Report of the Foreign Policy Committee of the European Parliament (EP).
In the Report on cooperation in the fight against organized crime in the Western Balkans, the need to eradicate political and administrative ties with organized crime is emphasized.
The document talks about the "apparent lack of will of the authorities in the region to open the former Yugoslav archives" and emphasizes the importance of cooperation and intelligence sharing between the region and international partners.
As reported by Tanjug, the report was adopted with 60 votes in favor, four against and six abstentions.
MEPs called on governments in the region to step up their efforts towards reforms in the areas of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime.
Austrian MEP Lukas Mandl called on the European Union (EU) to support these efforts through financial assistance and practical cooperation.
"The EU must not use organized crime as an excuse to postpone the enlargement process, but should stand by the people of the Western Balkans in their fight against this phenomenon," Mandl said.
Bonus video:
