Money Laundering in the Context of the Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty, AIS position, Analysis and Conclusions

Albanian Institute of Science has carefully analyzed the draft law on “Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty of entities submiting voluntary declaration” initiated by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice and presented for Public Consultation by the Albanian Government on June 23, 2022. The deadline for the submission of opinions and recommendations on the draft daw during the consultation process is July 23, 2022.

The organization examined various aspects related to the country’s current circumstances and the amnesty, such as: the fiscal policy and administration; the degree of informality; the fight against corruption and the risk of money laundering as a result of criminal offences. Likewise, a separate report analyzed issues of harmonization of the draft with the national criminal legislation, testing the principle of legal safeguards.

In the end, the two Documents drafted were presented in a meeting, held on July 19th, with guests and participants from the relevant institutions, international organizations in the country, representatives from EU countrues Embassies, field experts and civil society actors and the Media.

Event Agenda

The two Documents contain an analysis, conclusions, recommendations, as well as short-term and long-term alternatives to the recent Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty. More specifically:

Policy Position Paper: Money Laundering in the Context of Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty (See more HERE)
Technical Report: Fiscal Amnesty Issues and Problems of Harmonization with the Criminal Legislation (See more HERE)

The Policy Position Paper and the Technical Report were presented as part of civil society initiatives, which aim to contribute to the Country’s European integration.

Both documents will be submitted to the Albanian government, the Parliament of Albania and Stakeholders, as official Position and Recommendations from civil society.

Conclusions, Recommendations and Alternatives, as presented on the July 19th event (See more HERE)

The Albanian Institute of Science, widely referenced as Open Data Albania, will continue to participate in the process of consultation and technical discussion concerning the present draft law, even when the latter will be submitted for debate in the Assembly.

We deem our participation of paramount importance, given the importance of the process, the assessed risks, issues of the legal framework and harmonization of the legislation, and many other fecets related to the governing majority initiative.

AIS has also prepared an Analytical Report on the History of Fiscal Amnesties and Voluntary Asset Declarations in Albania from 2008 to 2017.

The Policy Document “Money Laundering in the Context of the Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty” was drafted by the Albanian Institute of Science AIS/Open DataAlbania, in implementation of the C1 – EU – NPA project “Improving the Debate on Policies and Accountability for Fulfilled Basic Rights” through the creation of the Negotiation Platform of Cluster1 Albania. The C1 – EU – NPA project is implemented by four Albanian organizations: Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance CSDG, Institute of Political Studies ISP, Albanian Committee of Helsinki KSHH and Albanian Institute of Science AIS, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana.

The Findings, Opinions or Recommendations expressed in this Document represent the viewpoint of experts and AIS and do not necessarily reflect those of our partners or supporters of the C1 – EU – NPA Project.

“Money Laundering in the Context of Fiscal and Criminal Amnesty” activity, organized by the Albanian Institute of Science/Open Data Albania

H.E.Mr. Reinout Vos – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania , Prof. Dr. Petraq Milo – Field Expert

Mr.Alexis Hupin, Head of the EU Policy and Integration Section, EU Delegation to Albania; Mr.Karel Urban, Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Albania; Mr.Jonas Paul, Political Officer in the Delegation of the European Union to Albania

H.E.Mr. Reinout Vos – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania

Prof. Dr. Petraq Milo – Field Expert

Mr.Viktor Gumi – AIS Legal Expert

Mrs. Monika Meça, Head of the Legal Unit for the Coordination of Priority Initiatives and the Acquis, Regulatory and Compliance Department in the Prime Minister’s Office