TIRANA, June 17 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ The Head of the European Union Delegation in Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, stated on Tuesday that strengthening the rule of law is of fundamental importance for countries in the process of EU accession, and tangible results in this regard are essential elements for advancing the integration process.
In his remarks at the Consultative Forum of General and Special Prosecutors of the Western Balkans, Ambassador Gonzato stated that “the EU and the Western Balkans continue to face common security threats from organized crime and corruption.”
Consequently, Gonzato said that close cooperation between the judiciary and cross-border stakeholders, coupled with coordinated responses, are indispensable not only for effectively combating transnational crime but also for enhancing the protection of victims.
“This is why this project and today’s meeting are so important. We recognize the strong commitment of the countries in the region to jointly combat organized crime, which is cross-border in nature and causes economic harm and stifles economic growth. It is detrimental to social cohesion and the well-being of citizens, and it also eats away at public trust in institutions,” he added.
Gonzato emphasized that “high-level corruption is a feature of many criminal activities and poses a threat to security.”
“Criminal groups use high-level corruption to expand their influence or evade justice. Therefore, we must work together to end the perception of impunity and to bridge the gap between politics, the judiciary, and the citizen,” Gonzato said.
Addressing the prosecutors present at the forum, Gonzato stated that “your work has a direct impact on your countries’ progress toward EU membership.”
“Independent prosecutorial services that can investigate and prosecute crime without fear or favor are essential prerequisites for EU accession. When prosecutors in the region work together by sharing best practices and coordinating investigations, there is no room for impunity in society,” he added.
Turning to the challenges, Gonzato emphasized that pressure on the justice system, resource constraints, and the evolving nature of international crime require vigilance through concrete initiatives to strengthen the legal and institutional framework.
“Organized crime and corruption generate significant wealth. These proceeds and assets must be seized and confiscated, then redirected for other economic objectives. We have launched projects here in Albania in this regard, of which I am particularly proud. However, concrete actions are needed to enhance knowledge on financial crime, including the sophisticated instruments used by criminal networks,” Gonzato added.
In this regard, the ambassador drew attention to the constantly evolving techniques for money laundering, which also involve virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.
Therefore, the ambassador emphasized that detecting criminal proceeds is essential in Albania. “We eagerly await the approval of an important law by the parliament establishing an office for asset recovery,” he added. /j.p/sm/
