Press Release

The meeting of the General Prosecutor with the European journalists on the progress of EU projects
European media representatives are discussing with the General Prosecution of Albania, Mr. Adriatik Llalla, on the effectiveness of EU programs to strengthen the investigative and technological capacity.

The General Prosecutor, Mr. Adriatik Llalla said that the cooperation with international investigative structures in the fight against organized crime has increased significantly, especially during 2014.
This conclusion was presented by Mr. Llalla in a conversation with a group of European journalists, who are in Albania because they are interested in the effectiveness of the European Union projects in strengthening the rule of law in Albania.

The General Prosecutor assessed positively the assistance given to the institution he leads by the European Union through the IPA projects, PAMECA and EURALIUS, which have significantly affected the growth of the effectiveness and quality of investigations by the Albanian prosecutor. Also, Mr. Llalla emphasized the necessity to strengthen the international cooperation and to increase the information exchanging and the joint operations of criminal groups that operate in several states at once.

Answering to the questions of European journalists, Mr. Llalla said that "the role of the Prosecution Office of Albania in strengthening international cooperation has been an important factor for the region. It is worth mentioning the meeting between the General Prosecutors of the Western Balkans, held in May 2014 with the initiative of the Albanian Prosecution Office, as a very important achievement at the regional level. All parties expressed their commitment on the establishment of joint investigation teams, which are cross-border structures that coordinate the fight against organized crime".

As well, staying in the same argument, the General Prosecutor presented to the media corps also the recent developments within the international cooperation. "A few days ago, the Prosecution Office of Albanian and the Anti-Mafia Directorate of Italy signed a Cooperation Agreement. This agreement replaces a document signed in 1997 and provides new mechanisms for combating organized crime and international one.

In the framework of international cooperation, these days in Albania it is the Federal Prosecutor of the Kingdom of Belgium. Thanks to this cooperation there have been held several important operations and are combated some criminal groups. Through the strengthening of this cooperation it is aimed the intensification of the work on combating criminal assets, considered also the most efficient instrument in the fight against organized crime. By contributing on the strengthening of international cooperation and on successful achievements in specific cases, Prosecution Office of Albania has become a trusted partner of the counterpart institutions in the fight against organized crime".

The representatives of the foreign media focused the conversation on several specific issues, including the role of the Albanian authorities in the fight against terrorism, especially on recruitment of the Middle East conflicts. Mr Llalla said "Prosecution Office has given a special contribution in the fight against people dealing with recruitment and financing of citizens for involvement in armed conflicts in the Middle East. In March 2014 were discovered and arrested a group of persons who were involved in this crime. It is concluded that there is a wince of this activity in the Republic of Albania. This commitment of the Albanian institutions is evaluated positively by international partners".
 
Date 11/14/2014