Albania joined the Council of Europe (CoE) on 13 July 1995, undertaking a full commitment to uphold human rights, strengthen democracy, and ensure the rule of law. The CoE’s presence in Albania began with the Special Representative of the Secretary General, followed by the establishment of the CoE Information Office in Tirana in 2003. This presence was consolidated in January 2011 with the creation of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana as a permanent framework for cooperation, based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Albanian Government and the CoE.
The CoE Office in Tirana serves as a coordinating hub for the organization’s programs in the country, enabling direct communication between the CoE’s Directorates General in Strasbourg and national authorities, and facilitating cooperation with international partners. This collaboration is grounded in conventions ratified by Albania, recommendations from monitoring bodies such as GRECO and MONEYVAL, and joint programs with the European Union—including the Horizontal Facility III (2023–2026)—as well as initiatives funded by CoE member states.
Key areas of cooperation include strengthening human rights, the rule of law and justice reform, combating corruption and organized crime, promoting democratic governance and civic participation, safeguarding freedom of expression and media standards, and supporting education, youth, and inclusive policies. Within this framework, institutional reforms and the protection of vulnerable groups remain priorities, making the Council of Europe a key partner in Albania’s path toward full European integration.