The joint European Union and Council of Europe Action against Economic Crime supported Albania’s Ad Hoc Parliamentary Commission in reviewing and strengthening the draft Action Plan on anti-corruption, as part of the broader reform agenda to deepen reforms in the areas of good governance, rule of law and anti-corruption. 
The review aimed to ensure the Action Plan effectively addresses gaps and challenges identified by international organisations, civil society representatives, and the Commission’s Analytical Document, which assesses Albania’s anti-corruption legislative and institutional framework, and its implementation.

The key findings and recommendations resulting from this process were presented and discussed with national stakeholders at a high-level meeting Parliamentary meeting titled “2030 Albania in the EU – The Path of Reforms: Democratic Success as a Process and Lasting Commitment”, held in Tirana, Albania, on 3 April 2025. The Action highlighted that to further strengthen Albania’s anti-corruption efforts and ensure long-term sustainability, continued progress can be achieved by aligning the legal framework more closely with European and Council of Europe standards. Streamlining and harmonising legislation will help clarify responsibilities among competent authorities and improve implementation. Enhancing institutional capacities through better resourcing, training, and inter-agency cooperation will contribute to more effective enforcement in practice. Establishing robust monitoring mechanisms, improving data collection, and clarifying oversight mandates will also contribute to greater efficiency, accountability, and public trust in Albania’s anti-corruption system.

The Council of Europe’s Deputy Secretary General Bjǿrn Berge took part in the opening panel of this event together with a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania and Elisa Spiropali, Speaker of the Parliament of Albania. In addition, Hanne Juncher, Director of Security, Integrity and Rule of Law, Council of Europe, addressed participants during the thematic session on the anti-corruption pillar. 

The technical assistance was provided by the Action against Economic Crime in Albania, as part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.