New EU Ambassador meets SPAK chief: fight against corruption key to European integration

The new head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, held her first meeting with SPAK chief Klodian Braho.

The focus of the meeting was SPAK’s work in the fight against organized crime and corruption, where Ambassador Moreira de Sousa praised the importance of the Special Prosecution’s work for strengthening the rule of law in Albania and stressed the European Union’s support for an independent and effective institution.

“SPAK’s work against organized crime and high-level corruption is essential to preserving the rule of law in Albania,” she said.

The ambassador also stressed that, during the meeting with the SPAK chief, she reaffirmed the EU’s continued and strong support for the justice institution.

“I reaffirmed the EU’s continued and strong support for an independent and effective SPAK. Continued achievement of concrete results in the fight against organized crime and corruption is a key element of Albania’s progress toward EU membership,” wrote Moreira de Sousa.

The meeting comes at a time when justice reform, the fight against corruption, and the strengthening of independent justice institutions remain among the main issues in Albania’s EU integration process.