On May 28-29, 2024, a meeting of the Steering Group of the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) was held in Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia). The event was supported by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. ARMA was represented at the meeting by Natalia Kostynchuk Head of Division on Cooperation with Asset Recovery Institutions of the International Department of ARMA

The meeting was also attended by members of the 2024 BAMIN Steering Committee from the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Croatia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, the Republic of Moldova, as well as representatives of the BAMIN Secretariat headed by Jill Thomas.

The meeting began with the official transfer of the BAMIN Chairmanship from the Republic of Moldova to the Republic of North Macedonia.

An important issue on the agenda was the creation, improvement and functioning of registers of seized assets.

In addition, taking into account the adoption of the new EU Directive 2024/1260 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on asset recovery and confiscation, the participants of the meeting discussed the importance of unifying the approach to the asset recovery process and defining the functions and powers of the competent authorities in this area. In addition, they discussed the issue of significantly expanding the format of cooperation with foreign jurisdictions and accelerating the exchange of operational information between BAMIN members.

One of the conclusions of the Steering Group members is the need to continue to improve cooperation and actively participate in international forums on asset recovery and management.

The next meeting of BAMIN members will be held on September 16-19, 2024 in Ohrid (Republic of North Macedonia) during the Annual General Meeting of BAMIN.

We remind you that on September 21, 2023, ARMA became a member of the Steering Committee of the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN). The main objective of BAMIN is to improve the efficiency of the management, sale or other disposal of seized or confiscated assets.

Currently, BAMIN has members from 23 countries, including Ukraine.