Andoni: The West is using the desire of Kosovo and Albania to get closer, agreements on prisons a security challenge

Political analyst from Tirana Ben Andoni told Kosovo Online that Denmark and Belgium are skillfully exploiting Kosovo’s and Albania’s eagerness to strengthen ties with the West, but that the proposed agreements on accepting foreign prisoners raise numerous concerns, from potential human rights violations to security risks and lack of transparency.

Andoni reminds that Belgium intends to build prisons in Albania and Kosovo in order to reduce overcrowding in its own facilities, while Denmark has already signed such an agreement with Kosovo.

He emphasizes that Kosovo is already under EU punitive measures and that it is clear both Albania and Kosovo need foreign assistance, but warns that these agreements bring serious implications.

“The first issue that arises here is the question of human rights violations. Once these individuals serve their sentences, will they be returned to Belgium or not? Those who have residence permits can go back, but the others, those without legal status, will most likely remain in our countries. After their assets are frozen, they will have nowhere else to go, and will end up staying here in Albania and Kosovo,” Andoni warned.

He adds that there is growing public concern in both Albania and Kosovo about the lack of transparency surrounding these deals.

“The media have been forced to obtain information informally, from second- or even third-hand sources, mostly Danish, and now Belgian ones. On the other hand, Denmark and Belgium want to take advantage of Albania’s and Kosovo’s need to move closer to the West, especially within the integration process – a need that is even more pronounced in Kosovo, which has still not obtained EU candidate status,” the analyst said.

According to him, Denmark and Belgium are making excellent use of this situation to avoid prison overcrowding at home.

“How the public will react to this remains to be seen. In Tirana, there is widespread apathy and almost complete indifference, while in Kosovo, this has not become a central issue either, as Albin Kurti is facing major political challenges with government formation and the possibility of early elections,” Andoni noted.

The analyst also warns about security risks if prisoners from Belgium were to be transferred to Albania or Kosovo.

“Some of these people are high-risk individuals. Wiretaps of Sky phones have proven their involvement in criminal activities – murders, money laundering, and the use of the Port of Antwerp for smuggling. Albanian criminal groups already play a significant role in Europe, and their return to the region would undoubtedly pose a serious threat,” Andoni cautioned.

He expresses particular concern about what could happen after these individuals are released from prison.

“We have seen that our prison system faces serious issues. In Albania, there are numerous cases of murders and suicides, and prisons are overcrowded, with figures unimaginable in Europe. The same is true in Kosovo,” Andoni emphasized, once again highlighting Kosovo’s strong desire for international recognition and support.

“Kosovo primarily wants to gain respect from foreign actors, and it is therefore willing to sign almost any agreement that might strengthen its relations with international partners,” Andoni concluded.