PRESS RELEASE
The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, visits the Bank of Greece

On 19 July 2010, The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, heading a delegation of the Bank of Albania, developed a working visit at the Bank of Greece. The visit took place in the frame of the continuous cooperation between the Bank of Albania and the Bank of Greece, observing the already consolidated practice of information, analysis and assessments periodical exchange, as regards to various economic and financial issues of common interest. This process is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the respective institutions with the purpose to co-ordinate the supervisory and regulatory measures and policies.

During these meetings, Governor Fullani and Governor Provopoulos discussed the latest economic and financial developments in Albania and Greece, common aspects and their distinctions in both countries, also the expected performance of these developments in the future. Both governors shared the opinion that the economic policies and the structural measures undertaken recently shall provide ground for the sustainable and long-term development of the respective economies. According to their opinion, it is important the prudent monitoring of the economic activity as well as the ongoing assessment of the economic policies compliance.

The exchange of information and opinions as regard the performance of the financial groups and banks, which carry out their activity in both countries, drew a particular attention. Governor Fullani and the Greek counterpart Governor Provopoulos agreed on the importance the process has on co-relation of supervisory and regulatory policies at the interest of the further strengthening of stability and increase of efficiency of respective financial systems. Also, they highlighted that the increasing financial exchanges were at common interest, and as such they should be welcomed and further encouraged to occur. The growing of financial exchanges is facilitated by the fact that financial groups and banks which operate in both countries are characterized by positive results and improvement of liquidity and capitalisation levels.

At the conclusion of this visit, both Governors agreed to intensify the cooperation in the technical and decision making levels between the Bank of Albania and the Bank of Greece.