Brussels and Western Balkan governments pledge closer cooperation against AI-generated child abuse material, online fraud and organised crime, while the EU presses the region to align its visa policies.
BUDVA, Montenegro, Nov. 5, 2026 (BalkanView) – The European Union and Western Balkan governments have pledged to intensify their fight against cybercrime, online child exploitation and migrant smuggling, as Brussels prepares a new sanctions regime targeting criminal networks involved in human trafficking and other serious organised crime.
Meeting in the Montenegrin coastal town of Budva on Nov. 5-6, EU and regional officials warned that cyberattacks, online fraud and online child sexual exploitation were among the fastest-growing forms of crime, with criminal networks exploiting gaps in international cooperation and differences between national legal systems.
The annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs brought together Irish Minister for Justice, Migration and Home Affairs Jim O’Callaghan, representing the EU Council presidency, European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath and ministers from across the Western Balkans.
AI-generated abuse material raises new security concerns
Officials identified the growing use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to generate child sexual abuse material as an emerging threat requiring stronger cross-border responses.
The EU and Western Balkan partners agreed to deepen cooperation on preventing online child sexual abuse, the solicitation of children through digital platforms, cyberviolence and internet fraud.
They also called for closer cooperation with technology companies to identify and report illegal content and facilitate lawful access to digital evidence.
Europol and the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) are expected to support efforts to strengthen digital investigations, forensic capabilities and law enforcement cooperation.
The participants also highlighted the role of the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre in improving the region’s ability to respond to cyber threats.
Brussels prepares asset freezes and travel bans
Migration and border security formed another major part of the discussions, with the EU outlining plans for a new sanctions regime targeting individuals involved in migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other serious organised crime.
The proposed measures would allow the EU to freeze assets and impose travel bans on perpetrators.
Officials expressed concern about increasing violence involving migrant smugglers and criminal groups, stressing the need to protect trafficking victims and migrants subjected to abuse.
The EU and Western Balkan governments reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening border controls and cooperation with Frontex, Europol and the European Union Agency for Asylum.
They also reviewed progress under the EU’s December 2022 Action Plan on the Western Balkans, which aims to improve migration management and tackle irregular migration routes through southeastern Europe.
Visa alignment remains an EU priority
Brussels renewed its call for Western Balkan governments to bring their visa policies closer to EU rules, describing alignment as a priority for reducing irregular border crossings.
The EU also reaffirmed its political and financial support for the region’s migration, asylum and border management systems.
Discussions covered the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as cooperation on returning and readmitting migrants without a legal right to remain.
The forum highlighted the growing importance of the Western Balkans in the EU’s internal security strategy, particularly as organised crime increasingly operates across physical borders and digital networks.
For Western Balkan governments seeking closer integration with the EU, cooperation on cybersecurity, border management and criminal investigations remains an important part of their broader alignment with European standards.