International cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism is a challenge that is required of all countries. In this context, Albania and the United States of America have developed a strong comprehensive partnership to address this important phenomenon and to guarantee regional security and stability. This cooperation has brought visible results and continuous improvements in the capacities of the fight against terrorism and extremism in Albania. 

For this reason, during today's day, a high-level delegation of the Department of State, which was headed by Mr. Sam Pineda, Director of the Office of Programs in the Bureau of Anti-Terrorism in the US Department of State, conducted a working visit to the Ministry of the Interior. Part of the American delegation were Mrs. Mia DiBenedetto, Manager of Counterterrorism Programs at the State Department's Bureau of Counterterrorism, representative of the US Homeland Security Office; representatives of the FBI; Mr. Joseph Baldwin, Anti-Terrorism Counselor at the US Embassy in Tirana and Mr. William Sage representative of OBDAT of the US Department of Justice. 

The high American delegation was received by the Deputy Minister of the Interior Mrs. Romina Kuko, Director of CVE (Coordinating Center against Violent Extremism) at the same time and National Coordinator for CVE Mr. Denion Meidani, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of the Interior Ms. Lorena Pullumbi and Deputy and the National Coordinator for CVE Mr. Ermal Jauri. 

The focus of the meeting was to increase bilateral cooperation between the Center for Countering Violent Extremism of the Ministry of the Interior and the Counterterrorism Bureau of the Department of State in the joint fight against terrorism and extremism, as well as American support in the R&R processes and those of the transformation of CVE into Counter-Terrorism and Extremism Agency. 

During the presentation of a summary of the processes that Albania is going through in the rehabilitation and reintegration programs of Albanian citizens returned from the conflict areas of Syria and Iraq, Deputy Minister Kuko emphasized that the cooperation between Albania and the USA has resulted in the improvement of legislation and the justice system in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

Albania has amended and completed its legislation to better address this issue, based on the experience and assistance provided by the US. This includes increasing penalties for individuals and groups involved in terrorism, as well as improving the justice system to ensure that they are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions. 

The Director of the Center Against Violent Extremism, after thanking Mr. Pineda for the continuous support that the United States of America has given to Albania in support of repatriation operations and the development of deradicalization and rehabilitation programs for individuals who have been involved in extremist activities, ensured that the Center Against Violent Extremism remained steadfast in the joint efforts to counter violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and forms. 

Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of the Interior, Mrs. Pullumbi, after thanking Mr. Pineda and the US delegation on behalf of the Minister of the Interior, emphasized the importance of the US contribution as a strategic partner in these processes (repatriation processes of all Albanian citizens from conflict zones). Also Mrs. Pullumbi stated that the Ministry of Interior would appreciate the support of the American side in building a national risk assessment mechanism. 

Through cooperation between intelligence and law enforcement agencies, Albania and the US have built operational and intelligence capacities to monitor and combat terrorism and extremism. The exchange of information and the coordination of actions has facilitated the identification of potential threats and the prevention of possible acts of terrorism. These efforts have allowed Albania to rely on American expertise and experience to strengthen the security system and better prepare local personnel to face new security challenges.

For his part, Pineda, after congratulating the Center Against Violent Extremism and the Ministry of the Interior for the work done in this regard, said that Albania and the USA should continue to work together to address future challenges and to guarantee a safer and more stable region in the fight against terrorism and extremism and not only. Also, Mr. Pineda assured the Albanian side of the further support of his office in the processes of transformation and empowerment of the actors involved in the CT/CVE field.