The Financial Intelligence Agency participated in the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the project Combatting Money Laundering in Albania, which brought together representatives from the Council of Europe, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and key Albanian partner institutions.
The meeting set the direction for project implementation, providing a platform for partners to exchange ideas and harmonize priorities for the coming years. Participants engaged in constructive discussions on the project’s objectives, expected outcomes, and planned activities, ensuring a coordinated and strategic approach to implementation.
Special attention was given to the adoption of a risk-based approach to combatting money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as to identifying areas for targeted support and capacity building. The discussions also emphasized the importance of adapting responses to emerging financial crime threats and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation.
In their opening remarks, Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, Aurele Cotton, Program Manager at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and the Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency, highlighted the importance of strengthening Albania’s institutional and regulatory framework, particularly in the context of MONEYVAL’s sixth-round evaluation.
Representatives of the institutions, including the Financial Intelligence Agency, actively contributed by sharing knowledge, experiences, and priorities from their respective sectors. They reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the project’s objectives and further strengthening capacities in preventing and combating financial crime.
The Steering Committee will continue to play a key role in monitoring the project’s progress, ensuring effective coordination among stakeholders, and supporting the implementation of planned activities.