Remarks by U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen Cristina at the Opening of Training Seminar on Investigation of Financial Crimes, Terror Financing and Money Laundering (25 September 2006)

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Stephen Cristina, together with Head of the Department for Study and Research at the Prosecutor General’s Office Mr. Kujtim Luli, opened a one-week training seminar on investigation of financial crimes, terror financing, and money laundering. The U.S. Departments of Defense, Justice and Treasury and the European Commission, through their respective missions in Albania, sponsored the training, intended primarily for investigators who deal with economic and financial crimes. Mr. Cristina highlighted the importance of the fight against such illicit activities and the link between corruption and these activities, assuring at the same time of the U.S. support for Albania’s efforts in this important fight.

"Mr. Luli, training participants, invited guests:

It is a pleasure to address an audience of such dedicated professionals.

Those who are here today, giving a week of their valuable time to this course, represent the front line in the fight against the illicit activities that are the subject of this training seminar.

This is not easy work, and I commend you for your contributions. The training you will receive here will provide you with new tools and skills to facilitate the work that you do.

The fight against money laundering, financial crimes, and terrorist financing, as well as the corruption that enables them to take place, are common subjects of debate in Albania, and rightly so given that Albania’s success in this fight will determine how quickly it achieves its goal of entering NATO and the EU.

However, it is not just entry into NATO and the EU that are affected by these crimes – the Albanian people themselves are exposed to the negative effects of illicit activities.

First, money laundering, financial crimes, and terrorist financing have direct and negative consequences for Albania’s internal and external security if criminals are free to operate with impunity and borders are permeable to dangerous materials and dangerous people.

Sophisticated financial crimes and money laundering are increasingly used around the world to finance terrorism, often in countries far from the site of any actual terrorist event.

U.S. Embassy Tirana, Albania Ambasada e Sh.B.A. në Tiranë, Shqipëri

Second, the existence of these phenomena severely lowers the attractiveness of Albania as a target of foreign direct investment. The experience of the most successful countries in this region shows that such investment is critical to economic growth, jobs, and higher living standards.

Without positive economic prospects, there is a temptation for the most promising young Albanians to leave the country and the "brain drain" phenomenon will continue. Or, they may be tempted to engage in illegal activity, as the only perceived way to earn a decent living. Fighting these ills is critical to Albania’s prosperity and to realizing the hopes of the younger generation.

Third, and equally important, ridding Albania of these scourges is key to Albania’s image abroad. In the worlds of international business and politics, image really is everything.

I do not need to tell this audience how important the fight is, but I think it useful for all of us to reflect on why we discuss these subjects so much, and how they are linked to the well being and security of ordinary Albanians.

We need to continue the fight against corruption, which underlies and nourishes the illegal activities that are the subject of this seminar, by working to create a culture of transparency, lawfulness, accountability, and indeed, pride, in all state institutions.

The wide array of sponsors that you see in your programs testifies to the solidarity and commitment of Albania’s friends in helping it meet this great challenge, but ultimately and I want to emphasize, the responsibility lies with you the participants and all Albanians.

Finally, I would like to wish you the best of luck in your training. And thank you for having me here today."

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