US Congress/ Debate on organized crime and corruption in Albania, DASH evaluates SPAK

US Congressman Joe Wilson raised concerns in Congress about corruption, organized crime and election integrity in Albania, asking President Donald Trump's administration what it is doing to combat drug trafficking linked to the country.

The question was addressed to the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Daniel J. Lawton, during the hearing of the Subcommittee on Europe of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on US policy and security challenges in the Western Balkans.

"It has also been reported that corruption, organized crime and the integrity of elections in Albania are being affected by Edi Rama's government. In effect, encouraging the creation of a drug trafficking cartel," Wilson stated.

The congressman emphasized that the United States has had results over the years in cooperating with authorities against organized crime and drug trafficking.

“What is the administration doing in response to Albanian drug trafficking?” Wilson asked.

In response, Lawton confirmed that the United States continues to cooperate with the Albanian government to combat transnational criminal organizations operating from Albania.

"I can assure you that the United States continues to work with the Albanian government to confront the transnational criminal organizations operating from there," Lawton declared.

The State Department official emphasized that these organizations have connections that go beyond Europe.

"These organizations have international connections to cartels here in the Western Hemisphere," he said.

Lawton also highlighted in his response the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), giving a positive assessment of its work in addressing some of the issues raised by Wilson.

"In particular, we have found that the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime has been relatively effective in addressing some of the issues that have been raised," Lawton stated.

The statements came during a Congressional hearing where the Trump administration presented its approach to the Western Balkans, placing the fight against transnational criminal organizations among the United States' security priorities in the region.

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