The US Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim warned that the removal or even imprisonment of judges, prosecutors, and corrupted politicians is “just the beginning”.
“Albania achieved tangible success in 2021, from ousting corrupted judges to sentencing high-level prosecutors, including a former prosecutor general, to the arrest of politicians and police officers. This is just the beginning, we’re seeing a new era where the system serves to the people and not the strongest, the wealthy, and criminals”, declared Ambassador Kim in a meeting with donors, also attended by interior minister Bledi Cuci.
Kim stressed that having independent institutions that support the rule of law is the only to tackle organized crime, corruption, and violent extremism.
The US Ambassador also said that Albania remains a key cross point for illegal drugs and human traffickers in Europe and the United Kingdom.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, reiterated the bloc’s support on tackling organized crime, corruption, environmental crimes and the handling of migrants.
1/2 Fighting #organisedcrime, #corruption and #environmental crimes, as well as managing #migration are key priorities for the #EU🇪🇺 and for #Albania🇦🇱on its 🇪🇺accession path. Improving local governance & #roadsafety is also essential. The🇪🇺will continue to support🇦🇱 to pursue.. pic.twitter.com/od3Gq8tlAC
— Luigi Soreca🇪🇺 (@LSorecaEU) November 24, 2021
“At the same time, the Albanian administration must ensure accountability and transparency for the significant European Union financial investment and should pursue this as a key objective of its planning and programming activities”, wrote Ambassador Soreca on Twitter.
