European union – albania stabilisation and association committee 11 March 2015 table of contents political criteria 3
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During this period, the central and local structures of criminal assets have been engaged in property verifications and seizures checks on behalf of 15 Rogatory Letters from foreign authorities, 2 from United Kingdom 2 from Italy, 5 from France, 5 from Belgium and 1 from Germany. Procedural actions on the ground have been carried out for 8 cases along with prosecutors and French and Belgian officers, as well as with officers of the Judicial Police and prosecutors of Serious Crimes. Large amounts of cash, jewellery, cars, electronic equipment engines, etc., are confiscated in these cases, also real estate such as land and apartments have been identified which are under seizure process. In order to improve working conditions for the structures of the criminal assets` investigation, it was enabled the purchase of 50 computers, 50 printers, 5 laptops and other equipment from a special fund made available by the Ministry of Finance in 2013. The Ministry of Finance, in response to the request of the State Police, has also approved the issuance of a confiscated "set fitness" for the Police Training Centre in the ASP; also a special fund is approved and the sum of $ 100,000 is expected to be allocated to the State Police from the special fund of 2014. As regards the data from the General Prosecution Office, in 2014, the Serious Crimes Prosecutor’s Office has registered 131 cases for property verification against 175 individuals, based on the indications for involvement in criminal activities. In 15 cases, materials were returned for completion, while in 116 cases it was registered the material for property verification and verification procedure has started against the individuals suspected and their families. Money Laundering General Directorate of Prevention and Money Laundering, in its role as the Financial Intelligence Unit has continued its work for the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing in coordination with other law enforcement agencies in the country and with counterpart organizations and international institutions. GDPML has actively participated in meetings organized by MONEYVAL Committee of the Council of Europe and the EGMONT Group, with a particular focus on plenary sessions and the exchange of best practices among Member States. During 2014 GDPML has continued to inform the law enforcement authorities on cases in which there were doubts about the laundering of the proceeds of crime. Statistical data according to the information
In order to accomplish its preventive role, the Suspicious Activity Reporting has a significant role by the law authorities. By comparing the data it is evident a significant increase in the number of these reports, which are twice more in comparison to reports of a year ago. Thus, in 2014, there were 1230 reports whereas in 2013 there were 558. The increasing quality of the SAR is obvious given that the most suspected cases (70%) referred by GDPML to the law enforcement agencies refer to this Suspicious Activity Reporting.
The freezing of the transactions in cases when there are data or indicators for individuals involved in illegal activities, is considered an efficient preventive measure aimed at preventing the concealing or alienation of the illicit funds. Data in relation to the number of freezing orders and their progress
As for international cooperation, GDPML has paid special attention to information exchange with counterpart structures in other countries in terms of increasing the speed of information processing and responding, while there is a range of information sent spontaneously by GDPML. During 2014, there have been 62 requests by counterpart structures of other countries and there have been replies for 48 of them. From GDPML there have been 66 requests for counterpart structures of other countries and there have been replies for 50 of them. GDPML has continued its work to meet international standards as far as prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing are concerned, as well as harmonizing national legislation with EU Acquis. In order to complete the framework of the Law No. 157/2013 dated 10.10.2013, Instruction No. 1 dated 01.16.2014 of the Minister of Finance "On establishing the rules and procedures for allowable expenses on funds and other seized assets of designated persons" is approved. After the GDPML proposal, by DCM No 324 dated 28.05.2014, it was amended the DCM Nr. 687/2011 for AASCA which determines the administration of assets and funds seized in accordance with Law 157/2013 "On measures against the financing of terrorism". Also during the year 2014, periodic changes are approved in the list of persons designated as terrorism financers, according to the changes made in the list of the United Nations Security Council. During the reporting period, GDPML has organized and participated alone or in cooperation with supervising and licensing authorities, as well as with the respective associations in training and awareness activities with the subjects of law. During 2014, 699 persons have been trained compared to 401 people trained in 2013. GDPML supervises the fulfilment of obligations arising from the law, through inspections, aiming at increasing the number of reporting entities, the number and the quality of SARs and the overall level of compliance for the different categories of reporting entities. During 2014, special emphases has been put on inspections in the country where there are carried out 72 inspections in the country and 93 in distance, whereas in 2013, there were carried out 10 inspections in the country and 174 in distance. One of the priorities of the State Police is the fight against money laundering, corruption, economic and financial crime where have been identified growing indicators. During 2014 330 offenses were identified, 330 solved, with 408 offenders involved, 12 arrested, 396 prosecuted while free. Compared with 2013 there are identified: 218 offenses more, 262 more offenders, arrested 10 more, 252 prosecuted while free more. They are divided according to the criminal offences as follows:
Compared to the last year results there are identified: 114 offences more, 158 perpetrators more.
Police Operations During the year 2014 there have been identified 6 Police Operations, with 77 perpetrators, 6 arrested and 71 prosecuted while free.
On 28.05.2014 until 01.06.2014 on national level, it was implemented the Operational Plan “BLACK MARKET” No. 719, dated on 28.05.2014 “Fight against illegal activity of “Exercise without License of the financial activity", foreseen by article 170/ç of the Criminal Code. In this Operation there have been identified 28 criminal offences, 43 perpetrators out of which 4 arrested and 39 prosecuted while free. On 23.12.2014 until 26.12.2014, it was conducted Operation "BLACK MARKET 2" no. 1641, dated 22.12.2014 "Against illegal activity of exercising financial activity without the license". Nationwide 19 offences were identified, with 19 authors, 19 prosecuted while free. If we compare the data with the last year there have been identified 5 police operations more with 75 perpetrators more. Seizures During 2014, on the criminal offence “Laundering of Proceeds of Crime or Criminal Activity”, Article 287 of Criminal Code the total amount of seizure is: 19,107,371 Euro. Compared to 2013, the amount seized is 18,000,000 Euro more. 
Manufacturing and illegal keeping of weapons Regarding the offenses of manufacturing and illegal keeping of weapons, in 2014:
Cyber Crime During 2014, there have been identified 180 criminal offences, solved 76 of them with 86 perpetrators, out of which 10 arrested, 74 prosecuted while free and 2 declared wanted. During 2013, there have been evidenced 108 criminal offences, out of which there have been solved 63, with 69 perpetrators, out of which 9 arrested, 58 prosecuted while free and 2 declared wanted. Compared with the last year, there have been identified 72 criminal offenses more, with 17 perpetrators more and 1 arrested more. Police Operations and successful Investigations
The online reporting on cybercrime The State Police, in the framework of initiatives to provide better service to citizens and in order to prevent and hit corruption and cybercrime, has made available a computer application which is found in the official webpage of the State Police on internet which serves for the receiving in time of the announcements, denunciations, or information from public on facts or circumstances related to cyber-crime offences. The application is called “Online denunciation of cyber-crime”, at the address www.asp.gov.al, in the rubric “Denounce Cyber-crime” (www.asp.gov.al/denonco_kk). The application is made of two modules, which are “Denounce” and “Information”. The citizen who is a victim of Cyber Crime or a witness during the commitment of illegal actions and wants to contact with the State Police on the continuance of the procedures of the lawsuit, needs to fill the module “Denounce” where is needed the filling of the personal data: name, surname, address, phone number, or electronic mail address. At any case, the citizen will be contacted by police officers in charge with the case for the continuance of the respective actions. Meanwhile, if the citizen wants to remain anonymous, but he has information about corruptive affairs or the commitment of any cyber-crime, he can use the model “information” where he is not obliged to provide his personal data. Fight against the production and drug trafficking During 2014, significant results have been achieved on the fight against the production of drug trafficking. In order to plan and coordinate activities against the cultivation of narcotic plants, the Minister of the Internal Affairs has adopted the National Action Plan No. 18, dated 03.10.2014. In addition, the General Director of the State Police has adopted the Action Plan of the State Police No. 301, dated 06.03.2014 "On preventing and combating criminal activity of cultivation of narcotics". Action Plans were implemented in two phases: First Phase of awareness and prevention During this phase, the Central Leading Group was established and continues operation at the General Directorate of the State Police while management groups have functioned at the local level in 12 regional police departments. There have been adopted the action plans of the Regional Police Directorates and police commissariats "On preventing and combating criminal activity of cultivation of narcotics during 2014”. Control groups have been established pursuant to the order of the General Police Directorate no. 726, dated 12.05.2014 “On the control and destruction of narcotics plants and a control schedule of the territory is drafted and followed throughout the country. The regional police directorates and police commissariats in cooperation with the heads of local government and district educational directorates have developed 497 different awareness activities in total with 14265 beneficiaries participants in order to prevent the cultivation of narcotics. These measures have been implemented:
Second Operational Phase 49 air surveillances from Guardia Di Finanza (Italy) have been carried out, 78 parcels have been identified; 50.492 narcotics plants been destroyed. 27 flight missions of the State Police have been carried out. Two important operations against the production and trafficking of drugs have been carried out:
After the completion of the police operation, 133,567 plants were destroyed where narcotic plants and narcotic laboratories were seized as follows:
There have been seized a considerable amount of arms and ammunitions:
49 people were detained, of whom 39 people arrested suspected of committing the criminal offences of “Armed attacks against police forces", "Manufacturing and sale of narcotics", "Cultivation of narcotics ", “Opposing police officers" and "Destruction of property". The Mayor of Lazarat commune has also been prosecuted and 10 people were detained after they were declared wanted for committing offences of "Manufacture and sale of narcotics", sentenced by the courts with a final decision.
The indicators on the destruction of cultivated narcotic plants and their prosecution in national level for 2014 are: 570 cases of cultivation of narcotics plants have been identified, 164 of them detected, 204 perpetrators identified, 105 of them arrested, 37 perpetrators have been prosecuted while free and perpetrators and 62 perpetrators have been declared wanted. 551414 narcotics plants have been destroyed. Indicators of identification and destruction of cannabis plants, by region in 2014 are:
During 2013, 229 criminal offences for cultivation of narcotics plants have been identified with 98491 destroyed plants, 77 cases detected, 89 perpetrators, 52 of them caught in the act, 16 perpetrators prosecuted while free and 21 declared wanted. Compared to 2013, it results that during 2014 there have been:
The results against the trafficking of narcotics are as below: The statistical tables for the criminal offences and for prosecuted perpetrators; the amount of the drugs seized from 1 January 2014 to 30 November 2014:
The statistical tables for the criminal offences and for prosecuted perpetrators; the amount of drugs seized from January 1, 2013- 30 November 2013:
During 2014:
Indicators as reported by the General Prosecution Office on the fight against organized crime The fight against organized crime, apart from achievements reached in 2014, still remains a significant challenge for the prosecution, in order to construct a track record on investigations, prosecutions and convictions in all areas and all levels, as recommended in the Progress Report 2014. The statistics show that the number of proceedings registered in 2014 was increased with 52%, compared with 2013. Meanwhile there is observed an increase with 18% of proceedings sent for trial, compared with 2013. In connection with the defendants, for this group of offenses, the number of defendants registered is increased with 25%, compared with 2013, and the number of defendants who were sent to court was increased with 20.6%. Specifically, for the criminal offense provided for in Article 284 of the Criminal Code "Cultivation of narcotic plants", in 2014 there was an increase of criminal proceedings with 136.7%, compared with 2013. For the criminal offense provided for in Article 283 of the Criminal Code "Manufacture and selling narcotics", the number of proceedings registered in 2014 was 20.5% higher than in 2013. Prosecution has continued to be highly committed in the fight against organized crime and illegal trafficking. Referring to the statistical indicators, only for the period January-February 2015 Prosecutor for Serious Crimes records:
Proactive investigations and special investigation methods The number of proactive investigations and the use of special investigation methods have significantly increased, in cooperation with other law enforcement structures, where the State Police is mentioned, intelligence services, the relevant tax administration offices, customs administration, etc. We note that, from May 2014 after an extended meeting between the leaders of the Prosecution Office and State Police leaders at a national level, periodic meetings were held at central and local level in analysing investigative activity. This initiative has led to positive concrete results, the boost of proactive investigations, and the increase of the number of recorded cases. Also, in terms of proactive investigations, there has been an increased cooperation with other law enforcement agencies. Since May 2014, after an extended meeting between the Heads of the Prosecutor’s Office and State Police management at national level, there were standardized periodic meetings at central and local level to analyze investigative activity, with particular focus on fight against corruption.. Contribution against "foreign fighters" In 2014 and following, the Prosecutor’s Office has focused its work to increase efficiency and effectiveness of its work to identify, prevent and attack nationals and groups that operate in the field of recruiting individuals for involving the latter in armed conflicts in the Middle East. As above, the prosecution has focused its work on prevention of terrorist acts and taking legal and practical measures to reduce as maximally as possible the bases or elements that create the terrain for this criminal phenomenon, always analyzing and taking into account the final target of the terrorist act. In this respect, real time cooperation and exchange of information with SIS and the Ministry of Interior has been and remains a determinant factor to achieve operational success for which all our institutions are working. The analysis carried out regarding the hereinabove offenses have concluded that the threat from terrorism, especially the religious - based, is realistic and our structures must be pro-active alert to neutralize any sign or tendency, with primary purpose to provide prevention of terrorist acts. The fact that Albania has accepted its commitment to fight terrorism on the basis of the European Conference declaration of 20 October 2001 is already known and appreciated. Albania is currently ranked with anti-terrorism coalition forces led by our strategic ally, the US, and is engaged with all its values and skills. This makes our country a potential "target" for terrorist organizations, but until now, our country is considered as unaffected by the implications of the terrorist threat. Over the past year and onward, the Prosecutor’s Office has conducted investigations on natural individuals, the self-proclaimed Imams, who have managed to organize various religious entities and have exerted Muslim religious rites at mosques established by them. Their criminal activity is considered to have started in the moment of creation of the cult, which have not been approved by the Albanian Muslim Community. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office has sent to court 9 individuals accused of offenses: "Recruitment of individuals for purposes of committing acts of terrorism or terrorist financing"; "Promotion, public call and propaganda for the purpose of committing acts of terror”. Cooperation in the Border Integrated Management During 2014, some strategic documents and other acts have been drafted and adopted to strengthen the cooperation with other institutions:
During 2014 there have been conducted 12 joint trainings with other institutions or other structures within the police where 155 police officers were trained. During 2014 border controls have been further improved in cooperation with the Customs against illicit trafficking through a more efficient use of risk analysis and trainings where these results were achieved:
The Joint Unit for the Control of Containers is operational in Durres Port where six (6) officers serve, of whom 2 (two) Border Police officers of Durres, 2 (two) customs officers and 2 (two) officers of the fight against drugs in RPD of Durres. This unit inspected containers in 235 cases during 2014. Joint working groups of the Department of Border and Customs General Directorate are working on the completion of the Joint Risk Analysis, which will be completed in the first trimester of 2015. International Cooperation The strengthening of international cooperation remains a priority of the Albanian State Police. In this framework, a priority remains the enhancement of cooperation with counterpart bodies of the region, SELEC and EUROPOL, in order to develop analytical outputs, threat assessments and information sharing, and conduct joint operations using various international cooperation forms, as well as addressing the objectives deriving from the Police Cooperation Convention for South East Europe (Wien Convention) over cross border cooperation, joint investigation teams etc. During 2014, the procedures on a successful finalization of the signing of bilateral agreements with the regional countries, other countries of the European Union and the implementation of the existing agreements have been followed: All the procedures have been followed and these agreements have been successfully finalized:
Several agreements are still under negotiation and signing process. In terms of regional and international cooperation regarding trafficking issues The Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary of State for the Home Department, acting through the Office of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Albania and the Minister of Internal Affairs “On the intensification of cooperation in the fight against trafficking of human beings on improving identification, referral and assisted voluntary return of victims/potential victims of human trafficking” was signed on 4 December in London; On 8 December 2014, the additional protocol was signed with the Republic of Montenegro to “Intensify Cooperation in the Fight against Trafficking of Human Beings” and the Improvement of identification, referral and assisted voluntary return of victims/Potential Victims of Trafficking”, in addition to the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the government of the Republic of Montenegro, for cooperation in the fight against organized crime, terrorism, illegal trafficking and other illegal activities, approved by DCM 483, dated 16.7.2004. During 2014, several meetings were held with representatives of the highest political level of important countries such as UK, USA, Italy, France, etc., where the main topics of discussion were: common approach to modern slavery, voluntary return and reintegration of victims of trafficking, problems associated with unaccompanied children. At the end of March 2014 and in January 2015, joint meetings were held in Pristina with the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of Pristina and Montenegro, as well as with experts from Kosovo and Albania, where it was highlighted the revitalization of the Additional Protocol, and gaps were identified in the implementation of the obligations arising from this protocol on information exchange regarding the identification of victims and potential victims of trafficking. In July, a joint meeting with police representatives from Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Macedonia was held in Budva. This meeting was part of the joint regional initiatives to combat the phenomenon of trafficking and to identify, refer and assist victims and potential victims of trafficking in the territory of both countries. The meeting was designed to bring together in Budva police forces of these countries attached to Montenegro to assist police structures of Montenegro during the tourist season in Budva and in other tourist centers in Montenegro. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and instruction to police forces on the procedures to be followed for timely identification of potential victims of trafficking, as well as addressing issues related to trafficking in persons. Throughout August, the Albanian police forces continued joint patrols with colleagues from Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Italy and Macedonia. The National Coordinator for Trafficking of Human Beings Issues has currently held meetings in the framework of the agreements and signed protocols with regional counterparts, such as Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Greece, also in international level, with Italy, France, Switzerland and Belgium for the signing of the Agreements in the fight against trafficking of human beings. International cooperation as reported by the General Prosecution Office During the reporting period, an increased cooperation was spotted between Albanian institutions and counterpart structures of neighbouring countries, with members of the European Union and United States of America as well. In terms of an increased judicial cooperation with foreign authorities, it is worth mentioning the increasing number of requests for legal assistance to foreign authorities, number of people arrested for extradition purposes, as well as an increasing demands for the transferring of persons convicted, following the agreements signed during 2013, between the Republic of Albania and UK and between the Republic of Albania and Kosovo. During this period has increased the exchange of information for Albanian citizens or foreigners involved in illegal trafficking and serious crimes. It is worth mentioning here the cooperation with the German authorities to identify and apprehend the "Group of cocaine" Emphasis must be put on the collaboration of the Department of Foreign Juridical Relations at the General Prosecution Office and the National Central Office - Interpol Tirana, in the context of police operations, as to prevent the commission of crimes against life and health, as well as to capture the criminal organizations dealing with drug trafficking and exploitation of prostitution. Thus, the General Prosecution Office has responded in real-time to the requirements of foreign authorities on the identification of the users of mobile phone numbers, by providing extremely valuable information for police operations. In the context of international cooperation, during the period January - October 2014 several actions were undertaken on the execution of some rogatory commissions as required by the authorities of Belgium, France, Norway, etc., as housing controls, asset verification, seizures of bank accounts etc. We note that these procedural actions are carried out by prosecutors of the Prosecution Office for Serious Crimes in Tirana in the presence of representatives of foreign authorities. Considering organized crime as a tough challenge, prosecutors have always been active in training processes, organized by international partners. Different prosecutors have participated in a number of regional and international meetings held in order to intensify the international judicial cooperation in the context of the continuous assistance of the Projects of the European Union, to increase the capacity of the Prosecution body in the fight against organized crime, serious crimes and corruption. One of the priorities of the Prosecution Office during 2014 was the creation of joint investigation teams, based on the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, suggested and agreed upon during the frequent meetings between representatives of the General Prosecution Office and those of EUROJUST. Extraditions from abroad: In 2014, there were registered 117 extradition requests on individuals declared wanted for on international level, on the basis of a final criminal decision or the decision on imposing the personal precautionary measure "arrest in prison", who were arrested or located by the police authorities of other countries. Extraditions to abroad: In 2014, the number of requests for extradition to abroad was 97, and the highest number of requests for extradition of Albanian or foreign nationals arrested in the Republic of Albania was delivered by Italy - 62 requests, Kosovo - 6 requests, the USA 5 - requests, Macedonia 4 - requests, etc. In order to verify the followed procedures for the extradition cases, during 2014, the Ministry of Justice carried out at the courts the following inspections:
Also, in continuation to the inspection carried out in 2013, for the verification of the extradition procedures at the Court of the Judicial District Lezha, and as a conclusion of the control report, the Minister of Justice, in October 2014, filed at the HCJ (High Commission of Justice), the request for the disciplinary measure to dismiss a judge from duty (this request is still waiting to be reviewed by the HCJ). Meanwhile, a request of the Minister of Justice for the disciplinary measure to dismiss a judge from his duty in the judicial district Tirana, who was found to have committed a breach based on the inspection carried out by the Ministry of Justice on the verification of the extradition procedures, was rejected by the HCJ (in the meeting held in May 2014). Letters rogatory Letters rogatory from abroad: Regarding requests for legal assistance in criminal matters received by foreign authorities, in 2014 there were delivered 473 letters rogatory. Referring to statistics it is observed that the highest number of applications came from neighbouring countries such as Greece - 182 requests, Kosovo – 121 requests, Italy – 24 requests, Croatia - 20 requests, Macedonia – 17 requests, Hungary -15 requests, Slovenia - requests14, Turkey and France - 11 requests, Germany and Montenegro - 10 requests, Switzerland and Belgium - 6 requests, the Netherlands and Portugal - 5 requests, England - 3 requests, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein and Spain each of them respectively - 2 requests, etc. Rogatory commissions and controlled deliveries. In the framework of this cooperation, Albanian authorities have realized in 2014 some important and successful operations, in the presence of foreign homologous structures, in combating criminal groups, notably regarding the collaborations with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Hannover, Germany, which directly forwarded to the General Prosecutor's Office the request for legal assistance in the framework of the criminal proceeding registered against a criminal structured group involved in trafficking of narcotics in large quantities, as well as with the Court of First Instance of Brugge, Belgium, which transmitted a request for legal assistance in the framework of prosecution for commission of offenses of “keeping, purchase and sale of a quantity of cocaine, amphetamines, in aggravating circumstances. Letters rogatory sent abroad District Prosecutors’ Offices have sent to foreign judicial authorities in 2014 a total of 608 requests for legal assistance, in the context of exercise in our country of prosecution against Albanian and foreign nationals. It is worth mentioning that for 21 individuals the Italian authorities have converted extradition proceedings with recognition and enforcement of court decisions in Albania given by these authorities against Albanian nationals. Of the total letters rogatory sent abroad it has been observed that 24 letters rogatory were sent regarding offenses against the person, 235 letters rogatory regarding offences against property and economy, 105 letters rogatory regarding offenses against the state authority, 4 letters rogatory regarding offenses against justice, and 2 letters rogatory regarding criminal offenses committed by criminal organizations, etc. Recognition of criminal decisions Recognition of foreign criminal decisions: In 2014 it was required in 39 cases recognition of foreign criminal judgments given against Albanian nationals. Statistical data have shown that Kosovo and Italy have sent most of the requests for recognition, i.e., respectively 15 and 21 requests. Recognition of Albanian criminal decisions abroad: Statistics have shown that Albanian authorities have filed in 2014 a total of 10 requests for the recognition of Albanian criminal judgments abroad. Transfer of criminal proceedings Transfer of proceedings from abroad: In 2014 was required in 10 cases the transfer of criminal proceedings from abroad, for the purpose of execution of prosecution in Albania. It is worth mentioning that the highest number of requests for transfer of proceedings from abroad has Kosovo and England, respectively by 3 proceedings sent each of them, while Greece 2 proceedings, Italy and Croatia 1 proceeding, sent to Albania. Transfer of proceedings to abroad: Regarding transfers of proceedings to abroad, as shown in the graphical record below, in 2014 Albanian authorities have sent to foreign authorities 3 criminal prosecutions. More specifically, two criminal proceedings were sent to Kosovo, respectively by the Serious Crimes Prosecutor’s Offices of Tirana and District Prosecutor's Office of Kukësi, while District Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has sent a proceeding to Austria. Cooperation with Europol The Signing of the Operational Agreement marked an important milestone in the increasing of the level of cooperation between the Albanian State Police and EUROPOL European Police Service. The agreement was ratified by the Parliament on 20 March 2014 and then the procedures criteria were carried out on the meeting for the recognition of the agreement by the EUROPOL member states. The agreement entered into force on June 6, 2014. The sharing of the operational information including personal data, between Europol, Liaison Offices of EU countries and Third Countries which are part of EUROPOL started from June 13, 2014. A very important part of the operational agreement is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding which was sent to EUROPOL. The impact of signing the agreement was reflected in the growing number of exchanged messages through SIENA network. Specifically, only for the period between January - December 2014 there were in total 1026 correspondences, 822 more information than in 2013 or 502,9%. The entry into force of the operational agreement led to the necessary of contributing through the exchange of operational data of the Analytical Work Files, which are a unique instrument of EUROPOL. The analysts of EUROPOL work together with experts of the organized crime and terrorism to gather criminal intelligence, which covers all areas of high priority crime. Analytical Work Files offer a variety of operational and strategic products which are accessible for the members and help them in their fight against crime. In this context, the Albanian State Police in cooperation with EUROPOL is working to meet all the requirements for the eligibility to participate in five Analytical Work Files or focal points in relation to illegal immigration, Albanian-speaking criminal groups, Cyber crime, Trafficking of Firearms and Trafficking of Human Beings. Cooperation with SELEC The operations in regional level are mainly held under the direction or the administration of SELEC centre. During the period January - December 2014, through SELEC Liaison Office there have been treated in total 110 correspondences, of which 44 were requests for information and 66 were sent information. In comparison with 2013, during 2014 there has been an increase of information exchange by 20% between the Albanian State Police and police agencies of the SELEC Member States. Also, in the framework of SELEC, two projects are implemented, and 5 Task-Forces, one codenamed operation “Hit”, 4 other meetings and a conference in cooperation with UNODC are organized. Cooperation with Interpol During 2013, NCB Interpol Tirana presents the following statistical data:
During 2014, NCB Interpol Tirana presents the following statistical data:
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