A new draft law to ratify an agreement between the EU and Albania will allow the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to operate within its borders. Frontex will have “executive competences” and be allowed to undertake operations within the border of Albania against illegal immigration and cross-border crime, such as drug trafficking.

Frontex agents will be allowed to be armed and use force within the limits determined by Albanian law. Furthermore, Frontex agents will have immunity on Albanian territory, which means they will not be able to be prosecuted by the Albanian judiciary for any crimes committed in the country while involved in an official operation.

According to the agreement, Frontex agents cannot be called to testify as witnesses, which especially in case of drug trafficking will make it more difficult to get traffickers convicted. Furthermore, any damages caused by Frontex agents are to be covered by the Albanian state.