Title: International Collaboration Strengthened: Spain and Albania Sign MoU to Combat Financial Criminal Organizations

Cooperation between SPAK and Spain’s General Prosecutor’s Office

Madrid and Tirana – In a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation against organized crime, especially financial criminal organizations, the Albanian Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) and Spain’s General Prosecutor’s Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Principles of Equality, Respect, and Mutual Benefit

• The agreement is based on the principles of equality, respect, and mutual benefit
• Forms a robust framework for collaboration and information exchange between the two institutions

Albania’s Role in EU as Drug Transit Country

Albania is a prominent country in the Organized Crime Index for drug trafficking, primarily cocaine from Latin America, which is transited and distributed in the European Union, including Spain.

Criminal Organizations’ Money Laundering Operations

• Albanian criminal organizations are involved in the trafficking, storage, and distribution of these illicit substances within the EU
• Money laundering is an integral component of their operations

Streamlining Information Exchange and Joint Investigations

• The MoU aims to streamline the exchange of information and establish joint investigative operations
• Collaboration is in line with the EU4FOCAL project, which strengthens Albanian authorities’ ability to fight organized crime

Support from Spain’s Public Prosecutor’s Office

• Spanish Attorney General, Mr. Alvaro Garcia Ortiz, acknowledges Albanian authorities’ progress in fighting money laundering and terrorist financing
• Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office is committed to assisting Albania in its fight against crime, with a focus on organized crime

Fostering Mutual Trust and Lasting Cooperation

The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to foster mutual trust as a foundation for lasting and productive cooperation between the two offices.