Regional asset recovery experts gathered for the Annual Conference in Tirana

Today Tirana was the central point for regional experts' cooperation in the asset recovery activities, with the Alumni Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Conference gathering over 70 professionals from the entire region. The meeting is a part of the project "Combating corruption and organised crime in the Western Balkans through strengthening regional cooperation in asset recovery" implemented by the Advice on Individual Rights in Europe (AIRE Centre) in cooperation with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) Secretariat, funded by the UK Government.

"We gathered judges, prosecutors and experts from the Western Balkans, as well as their colleagues from other jurisdictions, to discuss regional cooperation in confiscation of the proceeds of crime and tools for its effective implementation. Confiscating the proceeds of crime helps eliminate the greatest incentive for criminal conduct: profit. Facilitating asset recovery in the region is crucial for the long-term, global fight against corruption and organized crime. Further, asset recovery strengthens public trust in institutions and is an essential aspect of efforts to uphold the rule of law in the region", shared Biljana Braithwaite, Program Director of the AIRE Center for the Western Balkans.

The United Kingdom reaffirmed its strong support for asset recovery activities, with a strong emphasis on regional cooperation.

?"Asset recovery is a crucial tool in the fight against organised crime and corruption, enabling better security and economic prosperity for citizens. Through the UK-funded regional project delivered by the AIRE Centre, in partnership with the RAI Secretariat, the UK supports strengthened regional and international cooperation to share best practice, track money laundering and recover stolen assets", added Jason Ivory,?Chargé d'Affaires at the British Embassy in Tirana.

Arben Kraja, Chairman of Special Prosecutor Office against corruption and organized crime in Albania, expressed support to the work of the AIRE Centre and RAI in this field. “It is important to stop the circle of funding the criminal activities. More money for criminal?activity also brings more funds to corrupt the system. This is why asset recovery is crucial”, shared Kraja.

?Sander Simoni, judge at the Supreme Court of Albania, underlined the role of judges in the asset recovery: “Judges have the role in protection of the rights but also in overseeing purpose and efficieny of confiscation. We understand this role, and we are ready to contribute to this process.”

Arben Rakipi, director at the Magistrate School of Albania, was also one of the opening speakers. He shared his thoughts on difference between complexit of the criminal proceedings and asset recovery: “They will accept jail sentences, but will hardly accept confiscation of their assets. This is why I consider that sometimes asset recovery is more challenging than criminal proceedings. Tackling assets is the crucial in dealing with organised crime.”

?Desislava Gotskova, Head of the RAI Secretariat, underlined the importance of confiscation and asset recovery in the fight against organized crime.

?"The importance of regional cooperation is essential for the effective fight against corruption. Responding to its member states' priorities, RAI has been active in the field of asset recovery for a number of years, supporting its members' endeavors to strengthen their capacities for effective confiscation of proceeds of crime. This conference is a vivid example of fostering regional cooperation among the asset recovery practitioners from Southeast Europe together, as the best way forward", concluded Gotskova.?

?The event gathered regional and UK experts, including judge Michael Hopmeier, prosecutor Arben Kraja, judge Sander Simoni, Director of Magistrate School Arben Rakipi, National Coordinators Ledina Mandija, Mirjana Lazarova Trajkovska, Radmila Dragicevic-Dicic, Eldan Mujanovic, Milos Soskic, Ganimete Ismajli and the AIRE Centre experts Sabina Djapo and Nevena Kostic.

?"This network of experts was built as the bridge between institutions and professionals in asset recovery activities across the region. Today, Tirana is the Western Balkans' central point of regional cooperation. Participants from from all jurisdictions shared achieved results, good practices and showed how eager we all are to learn from each other’s experiences that would enable our system to deal with corruption and organised crime more efficiently", shared Ledina Mandija, National Coordinator of the regional AIRE Centre/RAI asset recovery project for Albania.