Cooperation and support for Albania’s path towards European integration were at the focus of a meeting held in Zagreb between Ms Adela Xhemali, Executive General Director of the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority (AFSA), and the Management Board of the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA).

The meeting was attended by Ms Anamarija Stanicic, Vice-President of HANFA’s Management Board; Ms Martina Veric, Member of the Management Board; Ms Merita Gurabardhi, Deputy Executive Director of AFSA; and Mr Artur Tomini, Adviser to the General Director.

Ms Xhemali expressed her appreciation to HANFA for organising the visit, while the discussions focused on priorities related to the transposition of EU legislation and the implementation of risk-based supervision in the insurance, investment fund and capital market sectors.

“AFSA is implementing a broad program of regulatory and supervisory reform, Ms Xhemali said. These reforms are taking place while the markets under our supervision continue to grow and become more complex. Our responsibility is therefore twofold: to achieve EU alignment and, at the same time, to maintain financial stability, protect policyholders and investors, and ensure that regulatory change remains proportionate to the size and risk profile of our market.”

On the occasion, Anamarija Stanicic, Deputy President of Hanfa Board, highlighted the importance of continuous cooperation among supervisory authorities in the region:

 “The exchange of regulatory and supervisory experience is an important tool for strengthening institutional capacities and fostering the development of stable financial markets. Hanfa remains committed to providing expert support to partner institutions, particularly those in the region that are advancing towards the European regulatory and supervisory framework. We are pleased that, together with the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority, we have been building a meaningful and productive partnership for many years, and we are confident that meetings such as this will contribute to its further development.”

Ms Xhemali emphasises that, within the framework of the existing bilateral Memorandum of Understanding, AFSA would welcome HANFA’s support in establishing a more structured, accession-oriented partnership. Such cooperation could be developed through a joint multiannual work programme and the implementation of joint initiatives.

This meeting took place during a study visit by a delegation of senior officials and experts from the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority (AFSA) to the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) on 14–15 July. The discussions focused on the implementation of the Solvency II regime, compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (MTPL), and European best practices in the insurance sector; the implementation of the UCITS and AIFMD directives for investment funds; institutional responsibilities and the implementation of the MiCA and DORA regulations; as well as capital market supervision in accordance with European Union standards and practices.