We the participants of the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports, 

REFFERING to the cooperation within the Group to Combat of Drug Control Services at European Airports and in General Aviation, the ‘Airports Group’ of Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, and its activities,

RECALLING the need to strengthen the cooperation between the customs and other law enforcement agencies at the airports, especially police,

CONSIDERING that the serious threat to public health and security is constituted by the developing trends of illicit drug trafficking activities,

CONVINCED that it is necessary to reinforce cooperation between airports law enforcement agencies of Southeast European countries by laying down the procedures under which responsible agencies act jointly and exchange data concerned with illicit drug trafficking activities,

HAVE AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING:

TO ESTABLISH the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports, as a platform for discussion on specific issues and emerging trends, transfer of knowledge and best practices within the SEE Network of the Pompidou Group,

TO STREAMLINE working methods by development and harmonisation of tools and systems to improve drug detection in Southeast European airports,

TO ENHANCE the operational capacities thru specific technical meetings in various formats following specific requests or identified immediate needs,

TO IMPROVE the operational results related to fight against illicit drug trafficking by timely exchange of operational information.

Given its unique role in supporting cooperation in our region, we request the Pompidou Group to continue supporting the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports by facilitating meetings and other activities where possible and feasible.

WE further have adopted the following Conclusions at the 1st meeting of the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports which will further elaborate format of cooperation and working methods.

The second annual meeting, held in Athens in May 2016, focused on emerging trends in air drug smuggling and ways to combat the issue, including the potential organisation of joint customs-police operations. The meeting also addressed the challenges of increasing passenger numbers, lack of resources, and the need for more effective risk profiling and information exchange. Participants highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary representation from customs and police and discussed the implementation of the first joint customs-police operation, code name Operation ‘D’, a key operational plan. It was agreed that technical meetings would continue on an annual basis, with topics such as cybercrime, new psychoactive substances, and joint operations taking centre stage in future discussions.

The third annual meeting of the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports (CGSEEA) took place on 20-21 April 2017 in Podgorica, Montenegro, with 33 participants from 10 South East European countries and Cyprus as an observer. The meeting focused on addressing emerging threats in air traffic drug enforcement, such as increasing drug seizures and novel psychoactive substances. Key discussions centred on enhancing regional co-operation, establishing Passenger Information Units (PIUs), and improving data exchange for more effective border management. The operational plan for the joint customs-police operation ‘D’ was adopted, and participants agreed on the importance of timely information exchange, improved communication, and the use of tools like PNR (Passenger Name Record) and API (Advanced Passenger Information). The meeting concluded with a proposal to update the operational contact directory and the encouragement for members to actively engage in regional activities and the Pompidou Group’s Airports Group. A practical exercise on enforcement controls was also held at Podgorica Airport.

The fourth annual meeting of the Cooperation Group of Southeast European Airports (CGSEEA) took place from 24-25 October 2018 in Skopje, North Macedonia, with 33 participants from 12 South East European countries and Cyprus. The meeting focused on operational data exchange, particularly concerning Passenger Name Record (PNR) data and Advanced Passenger Information (API), alongside the growing challenge of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and internet-based drug trafficking. The importance of joint customs-police operations, such as operation ‘D’ I, was emphasised, with plans for a follow-up operation, operation ‘D’ II, in early 2019. The meeting also discussed the need for secure communication tools, including a restricted sharing point and mobile applications, and the continued use of the CGSEEA Directory of Operational Contacts. Participants agreed to provide statistics on drug seizures at airports and to actively contribute to regional activities, with a proposal for future training and increased political support for CGSEEA’s work.

The fifth annual meeting of the CGSEEA was held in Budapest, Hungary, on 28-29 May 2019, with 12 countries from the South-East Europe region participating. The plenary meeting focused on issues such as operational data sharing, emerging drug trafficking trends, countermeasures against drug delivery drones, and the risks posed by general aviation. Participants also discussed the challenges of co-operation, including data sharing and resource limitations, and agreed to share offender data through an Excel table to identify trafficking patterns. The technical meeting highlighted the results and challenges of the operation ‘D’ II, revealing difficulties such as evolving trafficking methods, limited resources, and the need for more training and equipment. The next operation, operation ‘D’ III, was planned for 2020, with North Macedonia coordinating the effort. The meetings concluded with a study visit to the Budapest airport.

In 2020, the CGSEEA's sixth annual meeting was held online due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, with 11 South-East European countries and territories participating, including Romania for the first time. The meetings focused on operational data sharing, emerging drug trafficking trends, and challenges posed by the pandemic, such as reduced air passenger traffic and increased reliance on cargo and postal parcel inspections. A roundtable discussed the impact of Covid-19 on operational work, and the results of the joint operation ‘D’ III were reviewed, which saw significant drug seizures despite the pandemic. The group agreed to continue the joint operation in 2021, coordinated by Hungary, and discussed plans for a training on countering trafficking in New Psychoactive Substances. Preparations for future meetings included exploring further training on risk assessment and data sharing, with the date and format of the next events dependent on the evolution of the pandemic.

In 2021, the CGSEEA's seventh annual meeting was hosted in Larnaca, Cyprus, with strict adherence to sanitary measures due to the ongoing pandemic. Police and customs officers from 9 South-East European countries participated, discussing operational data sharing, trends in drug smuggling, and challenges in the region. Presentations covered recent drug trafficking methods, behavioural analysis techniques, and the results of the operation ‘D’ IV, which involved 8 SEE countries and led to the inspection of over 26,000 entities. The group agreed to continue the joint operation in 2022, with an emphasis on improving co-operation and refining data reporting. A workshop on risk assessment using API/PNR data was held, highlighting the importance of teamwork between PIU units and field officers. The meetings concluded with decisions to intensify co-operation, refine the operation's reporting process, and prepare for future events, including the Pompidou Group's Ministerial Conference in 2022.

In 2022, the CGSEEA's eighth annual meeting was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with in-person participation from police and customs officers across 12 South-East European countries. The meetings focused on issues such as the drug situation in Slovenia, detection of synthetic drugs and NPS, drug couriers, and controlled deliveries, along with a technical skills workshop on behavioural analysis. Following the sessions, participants visited Ljubljana Airport and an express mail logistics centre. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of exchanging best practices, building personal contacts, and updating knowledge, with many finding the presentations and workshops particularly useful. The fifth joint operation, operation ‘D’ V, was discussed, which involved 111 officers and led to the inspection of over 72,000 entities. It was agreed to continue the operation in 2023. Additionally, the group discussed potential future topics, including risk assessment, co-operation with carriers, and expanding membership to include Ukraine, a proposal supported by the majority of participants.

In 2023, the CGSEEA’s ninth annual meeting was held in Zagreb, hosted and chaired by Croatia’s Customs Administration and Border Police Directorate, with 13 South-East European countries and territories participating, including Ukraine on an ad hoc basis. Discussions centred on operational data sharing, emerging trends in drug smuggling, and regional challenges, including insider threats and the risks associated with general aviation. Presentations covered drug trafficking methods, risk analysis, and recent smuggling case studies from Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, and Turkey. The meeting highlighted the need for improved officer training, resource allocation, and risk assessment practices, while a roundtable emphasised the importance of information exchange and collaboration. A presentation from Ukrainian customs officers outlined challenges related to the ongoing war. The group also discussed preparations for a high-level seminar on fighting drug trafficking in 2024 and the results of the operation ‘D’ VI operation, which involved 152 officers from 10 SEE countries and led to the arrest of 17 individuals. The meeting concluded with plans for the 2024 joint operation, co-ordinated by Croatia, and the introduction of a standardised reporting template to improve information exchange.

The High-Level Seminar, marking the 10th anniversary of the CGSEEA, focused on raising the visibility of the group’s work and was attended by 18 high-level participants from 10 countries and Kosovo*, alongside representatives from UNODC, SELEC, Interpol, and CELBET. Discussions centred on shared regional challenges such as synthetic drug trafficking, risk assessment, general aviation, and the use of artificial intelligence tools by law enforcement. The plenary meeting covered the latest trends in drug trafficking and security issues, while the technical meeting reviewed the results of the seventh joint operation, operation ‘D’ VII, with plans for continued joint operations in 2025. A joint declaration reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing co-operation, and decisions were made regarding upcoming meetings and operations.

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.

The 2024 annual meeting of the CGSEEA group, hosted by the Bulgarian Customs Agency in Sofia on 9-10 October, marked the 10th anniversary of the group, with a high-level seminar on the first day and plenary and technical meetings on the second. Police and customs officers from 13 South-East European countries participated. During the plenary, presentations were made by Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, and France on current trends, including the use of artificial intelligence in law enforcement. Hungary raised concerns about the security threat posed by fake boarding passes. At the technical meeting, members discussed the results of the 7th joint operation ‘D’ VII, and agreed to continue the operation in 2025. The group also explored future initiatives, including a study visit to Cyprus and a workshop with the UNODC, with feedback showing strong interest in continuing discussions on artificial intelligence tools.