Senior representatives of key Albanian beneficiary institutions of the joint European Union and Council of Europe “Action against economic crime in Albania” assessed the progress achieved over the last nine months, focusing on the legal framework and consolidation of their capacities in countering corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.

In his opening remarks to the meeting held on 12 December, Deputy Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari, acknowledged the action’s support towards the establishment of the Asset Recovery Office in Albania, as an important benchmark in the EU accession process of Albania and in strengthening the fight against economic crime.

Representative of the Financial Intelligence Agency emphasised the valuable technical advice and guidance for the 4th National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, which was conducted based on the Council of Europe methodology. The assessment report lays the ground for effective application of risk-based approach to the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing through a coordinated effort of governmental and private sector actors.

Similarly, representatives of other key beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the action’s tailored and pro-active support towards their institutional needs and laid out proposals for other interventions that can be considered during the implementation of the action.  

Further on, the participants discussed plan of activities for the upcoming semi-annual period and reaffirmed the importance of continuous co-operation towards the prevention and fight against economic crime.

The activity was organised by the Action against economic crime in Albania, within the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.