European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi reaffirmed at Thursday’s EU-Western Balkans ministerial forum that the European Commission gives priority to relations with the region.

“When it comes to migration, enhanced cooperation is key to improve border management capabilities and counter smuggling activities,” Várhelyi posted on Twitter.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Várhelyi, Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, and Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, are participating Thursday in the EU-Western Balkans ministerial videoconference on Justice and Home Affairs.

According to the European Commission, talks will focus on cooperation on migration management, including intensifying regional information exchange between Western Balkans partners, improving information systems, and enhancing reception and asylum capacity in light of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Following a presentation by Europol on ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation in the region, ministers will also discuss current challenges linked to terrorism and violent extremism, including progress on the implementation of the Joint Action Plan on Counter-terrorism for the Western Balkans.

In addition, talks will tackle enhancing operational cooperation to fight against organised crime, as well as the EU’s new Action Plan on firearms trafficking and the Action Plan on drugs.