In a meeting with Mr Klement Zguri, Chair of the Central Election Commission of Albania (CEC), representatives of the Council of Europe discussed the results of the cooperation and the support that the CoE provides to the CEC through the joint EU/CoE Horizontal Facility - Action against Economic Crime in Albania. The meeting was organized in in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections and the continued cooperation and support provided to the CEC. Mr Zguri thanked the CoE for the promptness and the high quality of support provided to the CEC which enabled them to comply with the legal obligations conferred by the amendments to legislation prior to the last general elections. Mr Zguri expressed strong commitment towards continuing cooperation with the Council of Europe in implementing the CoE/EU Horizontal Facility Action against Economic Crime and towards achieving the Action’s goals, highlighting the positive experience of CEC and the partnership forged with the Action through activities conducted to date.

Electoral Reform implementation has entered a critical phase where amendments need to be adopted prior to the 2019 local elections. Mr Zguri reiterated his request for continuing support with the development of the bylaws following the anticipated adoption of amendments to the Electoral Code and the Law on Political Parties, which provide for an increased role of the CEC in regulating and overseeing political party funding. The Action will continue its support to the CEC through assistance to the oversight structure with audit template report to be adopted by the CEC and training on audit and verification of financial and monitoring reports of political parties.