New projects of the Council of Europe and the Swiss Government, direct support for AAPSK
The Swiss Government and the Council of Europe have marked a new step in supporting Albania in the fight against corruption, organized crime and money laundering, with the launch of two new co-financed projects, aimed at strengthening law enforcement institutions and increasing the effectiveness of asset recovery and management.
At the center of this initiative is the project "Strengthening the Resilience of the Public Sector Against Corruption" (RAC), which will provide direct support to the Agency for the Administration of Sequestered and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK), with a particular focus on strengthening institutional capacities, improving asset management practices, and promoting the social reuse of confiscated assets for the benefit of the community.
Through technical assistance, international expertise and the exchange of European best practices, the RAC project aims to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption and organized crime, while strengthening public trust and transparency in the management of confiscated assets.
In parallel, the project “Fighting Money Laundering in Albania” (CMLA) will support the Albanian authorities in strengthening the framework for preventing and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), through a risk-based approach and practical guidance for public authorities and reporting entities.
During the presentation event, the Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the Council of Europe, Gianluca Esposito, stressed that the focus of reforms should shift from the adoption of laws to the effectiveness of their implementation and concrete results for citizens. While the Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania, Ruth Huber, underlined that an effective anti-money laundering system is essential for the protection of the economy, fair competition and Albania's European path.
In this context, the Chief Administrator of AAPSK, Risena Xhaja, appreciated the importance of projects and continuous support for strengthening the role of the agency:
"This project represents a very important support for the Agency for the Administration of Sequestered and Confiscated Assets, not only in increasing professional and technical capacities, but also in consolidating our approach to the social reuse of confiscated assets. Support with international expertise and advanced practices will help us to turn these assets into added value for society, directly contributing to the public interest and the fight against corruption and organized crime," said Xhaja.
The event brought together senior representatives of Albanian institutions, international partners, civil society and the media, serving as a platform for dialogue on anti-corruption reforms, the management of seized and confiscated assets, as well as emerging standards in the AML/CFT field, as well as their impact at the national level.
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