04/07/2023
In the framework of the European EU4FOCAL project to fight organised crime, a working agreement has already been reached between the Albanian and European Public Prosecutor's Offices
Signing of the agreement between both Prosecutor's Offices
Organised crime is a global threat that can no longer be dealt with at local level. Not only is co-operation and collaboration of national law enforcement agencies necessary, but also co-operation at the international level with foreign authorities as well as with international organisations, especially at the European level, is essential, taking into account Albania’s key position in the European criminal scene. For this reason, the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office have signed a working agreement on organised crime that will facilitate and accelerate criminal investigations.
This cooperation becomes even more necessary when financial investigations are related to organised crime groups, as these groups, following the money laundering cycle (placement, layering and integration), move their criminal proceeds from one country to another, until the illegally obtained money is mixed with legal money around the world. Thus, the tracing and seizure of assets, the ultimate goal of financial investigations, requires the necessary international cooperation and the involvement of international organisations.
The European cooperation project EU4FOCAL, to fight organised crime in Albania through criminal and financial investigations, aims to improve the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking in the country through proactive investigation methods and intelligence. To this end, Spanish specialists from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Police are deployed.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is an independent prosecutor’s office of the European Union (EU). It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to trial crimes against the EU’s financial interests. These include various types of fraud: VAT fraud with damages of more than 10 million euros, money laundering, corruption, etc. This institution is a key tool in tackling the above-mentioned crimes.
To make the fight against crime possible, and considering the importance of coordination and cooperation between countries and justice institutions, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has established privileged partnerships with other EU institutions, bodies and agencies. Agreements have been concluded with the European Commission, and working arrangements have been signed with OLAF, Eurojust, Europol, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund.
In addition, EPPO also works with authorities of non-participating EU Member States; authorities of non-EU States (third countries); authorities of participating Member States; judicial and police co-operation networks (e.g. European Judicial Network, CARIN, etc.); international organisations and equivalents (Council of Europe, Interpol…).
