Overview of the Sofia Meeting
On 6–7 October 2025, the Budapest Process convened its Thematic Working Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation in Sofia, co-chaired by Bulgaria and Iraq. The gathering brought together 16 countries, 62 senior officials, practitioners, and experts to examine the practical foundations and ingredients of effective cross-border law enforcement collaboration. The opening panel included representatives from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Advisor and National Security Advisor, Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior, the European Commission Directorate General of Home Affairs, and the Budapest Process Secretariat hosted by ICMPD.
Key Discussion Themes
Across two days, participants focused on building sustainable capacity within national institutions. A recurring theme was embedding training to ensure lasting ownership of capacity development, with an emphasis on digitalisation and modernisation to keep pace with evolving threats. The discussions also delved into improving risk-analysis frameworks and vulnerability-assessment tools, recognizing their crucial role in strengthening border operations and enhancing protection for vulnerable groups.
Training, Digitalisation, and Ownership
Participants highlighted that successful law enforcement cooperation rests on robust training ecosystems that are embedded within national agencies. By prioritising digital tools and modernisation, the Thematic Working Group aims to foster sustainable, practical improvements rather than one-off interventions. This approach is intended to create durable in-house capabilities that can adapt to changing threat landscapes.
Risk Analysis and Border Protection
A second focal area was the evolution of risk-analysis frameworks and vulnerability-assessment tools. Strengthened analytical capabilities support more effective border operations and better protection for vulnerable groups, aligning operational realities with policy objectives. The states discussed shared methodologies and best practices to enhance situational awareness and decision-making at the regional level.
The Future of COLEP and Data Sharing
A dedicated session explored the future of the Community of Law Enforcement Practitioners (COLEP). Priorities for the next phase include targeted research, needs-based capacity development, and the development of data-sharing mechanisms. Strengthening COLEP is viewed as a catalyst for regional professional standards and collective preparedness across the Silk Routes corridor.
Linking to the Call for Action 2025–2030
The meeting aligns with the Call for Action 2025–2030 endorsed at the 7th Ministerial Conference in 2024, particularly Priority Goal 1, which centers on preventing irregular migration through coordinated action. The Sofia discussions feed directly into practical steps that translate dialogue into action, reinforcing the collaboration needed to address mobility, security, and protection concerns in the region.
From Dialogue to Roadmap: Operationalizing Cooperation
The Thematic Working Group concluded with a clear commitment: to translate dialogue into tangible outcomes. A Roadmap on Law Enforcement Cooperation is to be developed, with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation, professional standards, and collective preparedness along the Silk Routes. The Roadmap will guide future joint initiatives, training programs, and information-sharing practices across participating countries.
Implications for Regional Security and Cooperation
By consolidating training, risk analysis, and data-sharing efforts, the Budapest Process seeks to create a resilient, integrated law enforcement architecture in Europe and its neighbourhood. The Sofia meeting underscored the value of international cooperation in detecting and preventing irregular migration, safeguarding vulnerable communities, and enhancing border integrity through smarter, more connected operations.
