In a new report the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) finds that in Albania, the legal framework for preventing corruption of members of the Council of Ministers and their political advisers, and of the police, is comprehensive, but still overly complex. It calls on Albania to focus on its effective implementation, in particular by improving the capacity of the bodies responsible for preventing corruption, and through a proactive approach to investigations. (see the Albanian version of the report)
GRECO recommends in particular that a handbook compiling the applicable standards and regulations is made available to persons holding senior executive positions. It insists that each ministry quickly adopts an integrity plan and that ministers, deputy ministers and advisers should be regularly made aware of measures to ensure their integrity. GRECO expresses doubts as to the effective application of the 2013 Ministerial Code of Ethics and the actual functioning of the ethics committee attached to it. It wishes clear post-employment rules to be drawn up and enforced. The general framework obliging those concerned to declare their assets has been set up. However, GRECO notes that there is no example of a minister or one of his/her advisers having been obliged to withdraw from a file due to a conflict of interest. This casts doubts on the efficacy of the system in practice.
Measures are recommended to ensure more stability in senior positions in the police, regardless of the political context. GRECO also recommends that middle management officers are appointed by the Director General of the Police rather than the Minister of the Interior, and that the ethical rules are complemented with practical guidance, as well as awareness, training and counselling measures (including for the protection of whistleblowers).
Albania should submit to GRECO by 30 April 2022 a report on the measures taken to implement these recommendations.
