Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

Advancement of legal reforms and strengthening of institutional capacities to combat corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing in Albania was the focus of the fourth Steering Committee meeting of the joint European Union and Council of Europe Action against Economic Crime, bringing together senior representatives from beneficiary institutions. They discussed progress achieved so far and tackled key future milestones in the efforts to assist public institutions in Albania in preventing and combating economic crime.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, emphasised the added value of the EU and Council of Europe co-operation in supporting Albania’s ongoing progress toward aligning with the EU acquis and strengthening its institutional frameworks. ”I am confident that the strong co-operation and ownership demonstrated by partner institutions will continue along this path”, concluded Ms. Re.

The Action received highly positive feedback from various beneficiaries, who expressed satisfaction with the assistance provided to effectively address GRECO and MONEYVAL recommendations. Ms. Adea Pirdeni, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, joined this meeting stressing: ‘We greatly value this continued co-operation precisely because it is substantive, steady, and anchored in what truly matters: driving credible reforms and tangible progress on Albania’s EU integration path’.

Ms. Cinzia Tarletti, Head of the Good Governance and Rule of Law Section of the European Delegation to Albania, highlighted that with the intensification of EU accession negotiations, aligning Albanian laws with the EU acquis, especially regarding conflict of interest, lobbying, party financing, donations, and whistleblowing is crucial. She also noted the Horizontal Facility’s vital role in supporting these reforms. 

Further discussions focused on Albania’s readiness for the upcoming GRECO and MONEYVAL evaluation rounds, with the Council of Europe reaffirming its continued technical support.

The members of the Steering Committee agreed on the plan of activities for the upcoming implementation period and reiterated the importance of continued strong co-operation in preventing and combating economic crime.

The event was organised by the Action against Economic Crime in Albania, as part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “ Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.