Governor Ismaili welcomes new U.S. Treasury Technical Assistance Mission to further strengthen AML/CFT capacities in Kosovo

11/06/2026

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Governor

The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova (CBK), Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, hosted a Technical Assistance Mission under the new project of the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, led by experts Mr. Joseph W. Burke and Mr. Norman Smith.

The mission focused on further strengthening the CBK’s institutional capacities and supervisory expertise in the area of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), building on the continued cooperation with the U.S. Treasury and following the high-level meetings held in Washington, D.C., during the Spring Meetings in April 2026, as well as the CBK’s request submitted in December 2024.

Governor Ismaili provided an overview of the CBK’s mandate, duties, and responsibilities, with particular emphasis on its role in safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, strengthening AML/CFT supervision, and combating counterfeit currency. He highlighted the key reforms undertaken by the CBK to enhance financial integrity, institutional resilience, and alignment with international standards.

During the meeting, Governor Ismaili also underlined the progress achieved in advancing the regulatory and supervisory framework, including the continued implementation of risk-based supervision, the development of regulations on crypto-assets and the licensing of Crypto-Asset Service Providers, as well as the strengthening of investment screening mechanisms for new institutions entering the Kosovo market. The discussions also covered the further enhancement of financial institution examination practices and fit-and-proper procedures.

A significant part of the discussion focused on the new project to be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosova, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor. The project aims to strengthen Kosovo’s financial integrity framework through expert advisory support in the area of Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

The initiative is designed to enhance inter-institutional coordination, strengthen compliance with international standards, and improve the overall effectiveness of Kosovo’s framework for preventing and addressing financial crime risks.

On this occasion, Governor Ismaili signed the Terms of Reference for the project, reaffirming the CBK’s commitment to advancing the national AML/CFT/CPF framework, strengthening institutional cooperation, and contributing to the protection of Kosovo’s financial system.

Governor Ismaili expressed his deep appreciation to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its continued support, technical assistance, and institutional cooperation. He highly valued the role of the U.S. Treasury in strengthening the CBK’s core functions, enhancing institutional capacities, and supporting the safeguarding of financial integrity in the Republic of Kosovo.

Lajmi i kaluar

Global financial stability and emerging challenges in the financial sector at the focus of CBK’s public lecture with the International Monetary Fund

Global financial stability and emerging challenges in the financial sector at the focus of CBK’s public lecture with the International Monetary Fund