Criminal assets "under the microscope" of the European Commission - SPAK–AAPSK cooperation is assessed
At the 17th meeting of the EU-Albania Subcommittee on "Justice, Freedom and Security", European Commission experts paid special attention to the process of sequestration, confiscation and administration of assets derived from organized crime activity.
During the discussions, the EC experts requested detailed statistical reporting on assets seized and confiscated by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) as well as on the process of their administration by the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK). In this context, it was emphasized that Brussels will closely and directly follow the monitoring of this process, considering it a key element in the framework of rule of law reforms.
The European experts also acknowledged the progress made by Albania in approximating the legal framework and its implementation, in line with European Union standards. However, they underlined that the increase in the number of assets seized and confiscated from criminal activity, their effective administration and their destination in favor of the state constitute the main indicators that will be used to measure the level of fulfillment of the Interim Milestones and recommendations of the Progress Report for Chapter 24 – “Justice, Freedom and Security”.
In this regard, inter-institutional cooperation, especially that between SPAK and AAPSK, was assessed as a positive development. According to European Commission experts, the timely and quality coordination between the two institutions, as well as the statistics reported on asset management, testify to the establishment of a stable relationship based on institutional trust, which is expected to be further consolidated with the support of European Union expertise.
The European Commission experts also assessed the use of funds generated from the management of seized and confiscated assets in support of law enforcement institutions. In particular, the financial support for the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) was highlighted, which has also increased during 2025, contributing to strengthening capacities in the fight against corruption and organized crime.
The process of seizing, administering and allocating the assets of organized crime remains one of the most important instruments for combating the criminal economy, as well as one of the main indicators of Albania's progress within the European integration process.
Albanian institutions will continue to work on strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, increasing transparency and improving the management of seized and confiscated assets, in accordance with European Union standards and best practices.
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