Within the framework of the annual meeting of Operation «Oscar» at Europol Headquarters in The Hague (Netherlands), members of the delegation of the National Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) held a number of important working meetings with international partners aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of finding and returning assets of sanctioned persons. The delegation included Anna Makarenko, Director of the Department for Finding, Tracing and Recovery of Assets in Foreign Jurisdictions, and Maksym Pasik, Acting Director of the Department for Finding and Tracing Assets of Sanctioned Persons and Other Entities that Pose a Threat to the National Interest of Ukraine.
One of the key meetings was a consultation with representatives of the Malta Police, during which they discussed current cases. The parties agreed to further exchange of information that will facilitate more effective search and seizure of illegally acquired property.
It was also important to discuss individual cases with representatives of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss police and to continue active cooperation in the field of sanctions policy and financial investigations.
During the meeting with the liaison officers of the Republic of Cyprus and Poland, the issues of deepening bilateral cooperation and prompt exchange of information on assets that may be subject to seizure and confiscation were discussed.
Cooperation with British partners
A meeting with representatives of the British tax and customs service HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) deserves special attention, during which new approaches to identifying sanctions circumvention schemes were discussed, as well as the possibility of strengthening cooperation in financial investigations.
ARMA continues to actively strengthen international cooperation and expand the range of partners, which will facilitate more effective tracing and recovery of assets associated with sanctioned persons. Through cooperation with key international organizations and law enforcement agencies in Europe, Ukraine is becoming an even more powerful player in the field of global financial control and anti-money laundering.
