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<p>The UK is working closely with the Albanian Government to better support Albanian
victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, including the reintegration of returnees.
For example, the UK and Albania are currently in the process of strengthening cooperation
under the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding to enhance information-sharing.</p><p>Both
the UK and Albania are signatories to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings, which requires our governments to design comprehensive
frameworks to protect and assist victims of trafficking. The UK and Albania have developed
National Referral Mechanisms to fulfil this requirement. The decision-making processes
through our respective National Referral Mechanisms are independent and we are not
seeking harmonisation beyond the sharing of best practice and expertise.</p><p>We
are not aware of reports that victims have returned to Albania and not been provided
with support due to local authorities not recognising UK Conclusive Grounds decisions.
Should we receive reports, we will discuss with Albanian counterparts.</p><p>The UK
provides comprehensive support to potential victims of trafficking in the UK through
the National Referral Mechanism regardless of their nationality. All victims who receive
a positive reasonable grounds decision are entitled to a minimum 45 days Reflection
and Recovery period, during which specialist support and advocacy are provided. This
includes access to emergency medical treatment, translation and interpretation, information
and signposting, counselling, assistance at appropriate stages of criminal proceedings
against offenders, assistance with returning to their home country, and tailored exit
plans to move on from their time in service. This assistance is designed to meet the
unique needs of individual potential victims.</p>
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