5th Anniversary of SPAK, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Arrives in Albania
Five months after being appointed by the U.S. Department of State as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof makes his first visit to Albania.
Kasanof arrived in Tirana on Wednesday afternoon.
Diplomatic sources confirmed to A2CNN that Kasanof’s visit to Albania is solely related to his participation in an event celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), which will take place on Thursday in the capital. According to the sources, Kasanof will deliver a special speech at the event as a representative of the U.S., which, together with the EU, are the initiators, funders, and main supporters of the Justice Reform.
According to A2 CNN, after his arrival in Albania, the senior U.S. official, who is the successor of Gabriel Escobar, held his first official meeting at the European Union Delegation’s headquarters. There, he had a face-to-face discussion lasting almost 60 minutes with the EU Delegation Ambassador, Silvio Gonzato. Together with the U.S., the European Union is the main supporter of the justice reform and SPAK’s independence.
Ambassador Silvio Gonzato stated:
“I think we have seen the latest polls showing that trust in the justice institutions has increased, and it is also understood that these institutions are no longer as exposed to political influence and interventions as they were before.”
“I don’t see any particular political bias in the way SPAK is operating. I met Mr. Dumani, he is a man of high integrity. He is doing his job. He doesn’t seek attention, he doesn’t seek fame. He’s just doing his work,” said Ambassador Silvio Gonzato.
The work of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure has sparked significant political reactions in the country due to its investigations, arrests, and trials of high-ranking officials and former officials.
Currently, a special parliamentary committee for anti-corruption and good governance has begun its work to push forward reforms. However, its creation and ongoing work are being closely monitored, and not without concern, by the two main donors and supporters of the justice reform, the U.S. and the EU.
Meanwhile, in early October, the High Court, SPAK, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the High Judicial Council (KLGJ), and the High Inspectorate of Justice announced that they would not send experts to this parliamentary committee.
