06 February 2024, the Head of ARMA Olena Duma and Deputy Head of ARMA for European Integration Grigol Katamadze met with the Ambassador of the Italian Republic, H.E. Mr. Pier Francesco Zazo, at the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Ukraine.

The Head of ARMA provided an overview to the Ambassador of the main functions, powers, priorities and prospects of the National Agency for 2024.

Olena Duma noted the high achievements of the Italian counterpart of ARMA (National Agency for the Administration and Destination of Assets Seized and Confiscated from Organized Crime of Italian Republic) in the field of finding, tracing and management of assets, and invited Italian colleagues to Ukraine for an in-depth study of ARMA's activities and exchange of experience.

The Head of ARMA informed about the initiated amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the National Agency of Ukraine for Finding, Tracing, and Management of Assets Derived from Corruption and Other Crimes”, based on the Italian model of seized property management, which provides a possibility for state authorities to use health resort facilities for rehabilitation of military personnel.  This draft law has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for consideration. It's an issue has become highly relevant, especially in wartime.

Moreover, Olena Duma pointed out that despite the rigorous competitive selection process for the position of the Head of ARMA and the achievements of the National Agency in the short period since her appointment, work is ongoing to improve the legal procedures for conducting the competitive selection.

In particular, at the initiative of the Head of ARMA, there was established an expert group that is working on amendments to the current legislation of Ukraine in order to take into account the best Ukrainian and international practices for competitive selection of heads of central executive bodies..

Deputy Head of ARMA for European Integration Grigol Katamadze, presented potential vectors of cooperation with the National Agency for the Administration and Destination of Assets Seized and Confiscated from Organized Crime of Italian Republic and proposed to consider the possibility of concluding a Memorandum of Partnership and Cooperation to exchange best practices, establish effective cooperation and increase the level of bilateral interaction between the agencies.

Mr. Zazo noted that the joint work of the parties on this and other future initiatives will contribute to the development of partnership relations.

The Head of ARMA express her gratitude to the Government and people of Italian Republic for their strong and comprehensive support to Ukraine.