The fourth Steering Committee meeting of the joint European Union and Council of Europe Action against Economic Crime in Albania brought together senior representatives from Albanian beneficiary institutions to assess the progress achieved between November 2024 and May 2025. This meeting primarily focused on the advancement of legal reforms and the strengthening of institutional capacities to combat corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing. 

In her opening remarks, Ms. Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, emphasised the clear added value of the EU and Council of Europe cooperation in Albania’s steady progress towards in alignment with the EU Acquis and the strengthening its institutional frameworks. Ms. Re expressed confidence that the strong cooperation and ownership demonstrated by partner institutions will continue along this path.

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, stated: ‘We greatly value this continued cooperation 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.  

Discussions also 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 also discussed the plan of activities for the upcoming semi-annual period and reiterated the importance of continued strong cooperation 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 the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.