In the framework of the implementation of international standards of the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) cooperates with a number of counterpart financial intelligence units around the world.

Albanian legislation does not prevent the bilateral or multilateral exchange of information regarding suspected money laundering or terrorist financing activities, therefore the FIA can exchange information with any counterpart unit that will seek cooperation.

In case the laws in any of the countries where FIA’s counterpart units are based prohibit the unrestricted sharing of information, it is essential to enter into Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate cooperation in exchanging information on suspicious transactions that may be connected to financial crimes like money laundering, financing of terrorist activities, and other relevant offenses.

The counterpart units have a duty to provide all available information related to the matters being investigated. However, if this information is deemed insufficient, they are authorized to request additional information from other specialized state structures to ensure a thorough investigation.

To facilitate the sharing of information collected by state entities other than Financial Intelligence Units, a Memorandum of Cooperation between counterparts must be established. This memorandum can only be signed if there is a mutual assistance agreement between the legal structures of both counterparts.

Cooperation among the Egmont Group members, who have legislation that allows the exchange of information, is facilitated through the use of ESW (Egmont Secure Web) without the requirement of signing a prior MoU.

To date, AIF has signed 43 MoUs with counterpart units.