The initial publication of the news in international media about the decision of an American court to suspend President Donald Trump's order to freeze American financial funds, and then later during the day about the White House's decision to cancel, as a result of the Court's decision, the President's previous executive order, has also stirred up Albania.
But A2 has learned from diplomatic sources that the decision-making in question does not concern American grants outside the United States of America, but only grants within the US.
This means that President Trump's order to suspend funds worldwide, and what interests us, to Albanian institutions, remains in effect.
Through a diplomatic note, the United States Embassy in Tirana has informed the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the freezing of any American financial assistance to Albanian institutions, with the aim of reviewing any financial assistance program.
According to the note in question, US funds are being cut off for more than 30 institutions in Albania, including the Special Prosecution Office, SPAK. Funds have also been cut off for 15 ministries, the Parliament and its committees, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils, the Constitutional Court, the High Court, the Special Courts of both levels, all ordinary courts of first instance and appeal, the General Prosecutor's Office, the two Vetting Instances, the National Information Agency, ANA, the SASPAC Agency and all local government institutions.
The executive order calls for a 90-day suspension of U.S. international development assistance to assess effectiveness and “consistent with United States foreign policy.” The order affects new funding allocations to foreign countries, NGOs, international organizations, and contractors, pending the completion of program reviews.
Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a message to US embassies around the world, clarifying that international aid will only be distributed in full accordance with the foreign policy of the President of the United States.
Funds are suspended until a second decision for the following institutions:
Ministry of Finance, including the Financial Intelligence Agency
Ministry of Interior, including the Albanian State Police, the Police Supervision Agency and the Coordination Center Against Violent Extremism.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Justice, including the General Directorate of Prisons
Ministry of Defense
Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Education and Sports
Ministry of Tourism and Environment
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Ministry of State for Youth and Children
Ministry of State for Local Government
Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation
Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, including the Albanian Electricity Corporation (KESH), the Transmission System Operator (OST), the Electricity Distribution Operator (OSHEE) and the Albanian Energy Exchange (ALPEX)
Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption
Ministry of State for Parliamentary Relations
Parliament, including its committees
High Judicial Council
High Prosecutorial Council
Constitutional Court
Supreme Court
All courts, including courts of appeal, administrative courts of appeal and courts of first instance
The structure of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, including the Special Prosecution Office and the National Bureau of Investigation
Special Court of First Instance Against Corruption and Organized Crime
Special Court of Appeal Against Corruption and Organized Crime
Office of the Attorney General
High Inspector of Justice
Independent Qualifications Commission, International Monitoring Operation and Special Appeals Chamber
National Cyber Security Authority (NKSA)
National Agency for the Information Society (NAIS)
Ministry of State and Office of the Chief Negotiator
State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC)
All municipal governments (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
