The Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) is constantly strengthening international cooperation by signing new international interagency agreements with partners. However, the National Agency also continues to strengthen cooperation within the framework of already signed agreements.

ARMA and the Asset Recovery and Finding Office of the Republic of Malta (ARB) held the first meeting at the level of specialized asset recovery and tracing units within the framework of the signed international interagency agreement. The ARB was represented by Anthony Sevasta, Director of the Bureau, and Catherine Zahra, Senior Operations Manager.

The Head of ARMA, Olena Duma, welcomed the Maltese colleagues, noting that this meeting is another step in the long-term cooperation between the agencies. “ARMA and ARB have common goals and objectives within their respective mandates, so such meetings between our agencies should become a regular practice of exchanging information and experience,” she said.

ARMA Deputy Head Grigol Katamadze also suggested that the ARB plan joint training for specialists of both agencies with invited experts in the field of asset recovery: “We understand that criminals do not stand still and find new ways to hide their illegal assets. We have to join forces to counter current challenges at the international level. Joint exercises are the platform that will allow us to act in the most synchronized and efficient manner.”

Anna Makarenko, representative of the Department of Finding, Tracing and Recovery of Assets in Foreign Jurisdictions, presented to ARB the key results, challenges and areas of work of the Departments. Together with Pavlo Trukhan, representative of the Department of Digital Development of Asset Finding and Tracing, told foreign colleagues about specific examples where Ukraine and Malta can already cooperate both directly and through EUROPOL and CARIN.

Colleagues from the Maltese authority were impressed by the number of registers that ARMA analysts work with and expressed their readiness to continue to study the National Agency's experience in other areas of work.