The Bank of Albania published a readout of Governor Gent Sejko’s meeting with the Netherlands’ Ambassador to Albania, Reinout Vos, covering Albania’s economic and financial situation and progress linked to the European integration process. The update highlighted improved indicators for inflation, public and external debt, and banking sector soundness, and referenced Standard & Poor’s upgrade of Albania’s sovereign credit rating to BB in March 2025. A key focus was Albania’s move toward joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The central bank is guiding commercial banks through the European Payments Council (EPC) application process as a National Support Centre, with all 11 banks having prepared their SEPA membership applications and the first cross-border SEPA transactions targeted for early October 2025. The parties also signalled an intention to deepen cooperation between the Bank of Albania and the Netherlands’ central bank, while the Netherlands reaffirmed support for Albania’s EU accession.
Bank of Albania 2025-04-18
Bank of Albania updates Netherlands Ambassador on SEPA accession with first cross-border transactions targeted for early October 2025
The Bank of Albania reported on Governor Gent Sejko’s meeting with the Netherlands’ Ambassador, highlighting Albania's economic progress and improved financial indicators, including a credit rating upgrade to BB by Standard & Poor’s. The central bank is facilitating commercial banks' applications to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), with initial cross-border transactions expected by October 2025. The meeting underscored intentions to enhance cooperation with the Netherlands’ central bank and support Albania’s EU accession.