Albania: ICITAP Assists in Inaugural National Bureau of Investigations International Coordination Meeting

On July 6, with assistance from the ICITAP National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) Advisory Team, the Director of the NBI and the Chief Special Prosecutor of the  Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) held an inaugural NBI international coordination meeting at SPAK. The ICITAP team served as both “Secretary” and “Gatekeeper” to streamline and coordinate NBI international training and assistance to increase transparency and avoid duplication.  Topics of the meeting included areas for training and cooperation to improve NBI capacity-building efforts in priorities such as combating money laundering, financial crimes, cyber/digital crimes, utilizing witness / informant protection, and developing communication skills. Members of ICITAP’s Advisory Team attended and took notes, and ICITAP also provided simultaneous translation. Attendees included: NBI Director, SPAK Chief Special Prosecutor, EUROPOL Albania Liaison Officer, and OSCE Representative in Albania. Other meeting attendees included police liaison officers from multiple European Union countries as well as US Embassy personnel. In Albania, ICITAP works with the support of and in coordination with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).