TIRANA, March 24/ATA/-The vetting process that the government of Albania has undertaken is unique in the region and sets a model to the other countries of the Balkans, stated in Washington Deputy Assistant Attorney General and the Department of Justice’s Counsellor for International Affairs Bruce Swartz.
During his meeting with Albania’s Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj, Swartz highlighted the model cooperation between the USA and the government of Albania on the field of penal issues.
“What we have achieved until now, is important for the security of the two countries”, said Swartz adding that, “the personal involvement of Minister Xhafaj has been very important for building sustainable relations between the two sides”.
Swartz also said that the U.S. representative will present the progress made in the field of justice issues during the upcoming meeting USA-EU due to take place in Sofia focusing on the transnational organized crime.
“It would be a good opportunity for us to give another message of support for the process of reforms that the government of Albania has undertaken and the indispensability of launching the EU accession negotiations because Albania has deserved such an evaluation”, emphasized Swartz.
On his part, Minister Xhafaj showed a retrospective of the work done in the course of justice reform. “This reform will have a great impact as it will clean the system, but even give the relevant instruments of acting in a pro-active way”, said he.
The minister also informed that that, “vetting process is yielding the first significant results”. “It is high time of focusing on the process of establishment of the new institutions, especially those of the penal justice, dedicated to fight against organized crime and corruption”, said Xhafaj.
In this context, Xhafaj demanded that the U.S. assistance focuses on establishment of the new institutions of justice. He highlighted the activity of OPDAT adding that all the American investment in this process has resulted to be successful.
The minister also demanded review of the American assistance provided through the ICITAP which, as he put it, must be oriented according to Albania’s priorities so that to be more efficient in the future.
Xhafaj demanded even additional funds on technical assistance so that Albania meets the key priorities.
Likewise, Xhafaj demanded more cooperation with the FBI and DEA and reiterated the demand for a greater presence of them in Albania.
Swartz pledged to encourage the heads of the two agencies, FBI and DEA, to meet the requirements. E shared the same view with the minister that the activity of the ICITAP must be oriented toward the key priorities of the Ministry of Interior aiming at building the professional and operational capacities./m.m/p.s./
