President Bajram Begaj today received Mark Tervakoski, Director of the Office for Europe and Asia at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), who is visiting Tirana.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Tirana, Nancy VanHorn, also attended the meeting.

In a post on social media platform “X,” Begaj shared details from the talks.

“We reaffirmed our strategic partnership and cooperation as NATO allies to strengthen the rule of law, fight organized crime and corruption, promote sustainable economic development, and build stronger institutions for the benefit of Albanian society,” Begaj wrote.

During his visit to Tirana, the senior U.S. official also met with Interior Minister Albana Koçiu, Justice Minister Besfort Lamallari, and the head of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK), Klodian Braho.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, the meetings highlighted the strong U.S.–Albania partnership in law enforcement and the shared commitment to combat international organized crime and drug trafficking.

The visit reaffirmed U.S. support for strengthening the capacity of Albanian institutions through expertise, tools, and continued cooperation.

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