Bilateral Screening Meeting, EU - Albania, Chapter 4: Free Movement of Capital

Following the Intergovernmental Conference, EU - Albania, in the framework of the process of accession negotiations, held on 19 July 2022, the integration process of Albania to the EU continued with the screening process of the EU acquis for each chapter.

On 15 February 2023, it was held the bilateral screening meeting for Chapter 4: “Free Movement of Capital”. This chapter is essential for the accession negotiations in the economic aspects, addressing one of the fourth fundamental freedom at the basis of the Single European Union market.

The Bank of Albania, that leads the Inter-institutional European Integration Group for Chapter 4, head by the Second Deputy Governor, Ms Natasha Ahmetaj, in capacity of the co-negotiator for this Chapter, has been maximally engaged for the successful preparation of this bilateral screening meeting.

Members of the delegation of Albania were also experts from: the Bank of Albania; the Ministry of Finance and economy; the General Directorate for Prevention of Money Laundering; the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority; and the Ministry of Agriculture and rural development, as representatives and supporters for the issues addressed in this Chapter.

Pursuant to the pre-defined agenda, the Albanian delegation explained the Albanian legal and institutional framework and its implementation, highlighting the alignment level of the domestic legislation and the existing gaps with the EU acquis for each sub- area under this chapter.

An important part of this meeting was dedicated to the presentation of plans on further approximation with the Acquis, and the anti-corruption measures. In this framework it was emphasised the willingness and clarity in fulfilling the main criteria laid down in this Chapter, in the framework of the fast advancement perspective of the accession negations process.

Also, the EU representatives addressed various questions, and the Albanian experts, by respective fields, provided the relevant answers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Marc Jorna, in capacity of Chair of the EU Delegation, thanked and commended all the representatives in the meeting, highlighting the rather good job done by the Albanian delegation’s experts in the presentations and answers provided. In addition, Mr Jorna informed the representatives that the European Commission will draft the Screening Report on this Chapter, which will serve as a guideline in the process of accession negations of Albania to the European Union.