07-05-2018 09:00
CONT Mission to Albania

The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) decided to send a fact-finding mission to Albania from 7 to 9 May 2018. The mission focused on implementation of EU funds for Albania, in the light of the recent opening of the accession negotiations for this candidate country, as well as visiting difficult projects and holding meetings with Albanian government ministers, members of the national parliament and Albanian Supreme State Audit.

On this visit the delegation principally noted:

- the very serious approach of the current authorities on tackling corruption in full cooperation with the EU and the Member States, especially Italy and its Guardia di Finanza;

- the EU funds spent in Albania are used well and efficiently and that the level of irregularities and fraud is not at an abnormal level; and

- that involvement of the European Union in Western Balkans is a game-changer, as it has significantly improved regional interstate relations, despite historical mistrust; providing hope for peace and stability in the region.