The fight against economic crime and corruption remains fundamental to ensure democracy and trust in the rule of law in the Western Balkans and Turkey. In this regard, the European Union and the Council of Europe are working closely with various beneficiaries and partners in the governmental bodies to strengthen anti-corruption and anti-money laundering and to counter terrorist financing in accordance with European and other international standards.

With the aim to contribute to the on-going efforts to enable the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Turkey to access and share reliable beneficial ownership information, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the European Union, organised an International Conference on Advancing Beneficial Ownership Transparency on 24 – 25 June 2021. Beneficial ownership registers are effective tools in strengthening the integrity of governance and combating money laundering or fighting terrorist financing.

In North Macedonia, the programme is supporting the process of ensuring a better monitoring and controlling of inexplicable wealth. In this context, high level meetings were organised in April and June with the members of the working group for drafting the Law on the Origin of Property to discuss with the Council of Europe potential tools and reforms including civil confiscation, asset declarations, financial flow control and other ways to control inexplicable wealth.

In Montenegro, judges, prosecutors and police staff enhanced their knowledge and capacities to process money laundering cases using various forms and models of international co-operation during the third and final module of the training program. The training provided concrete examples of indictments and convictions for money laundering offenses issued in Italy and the Netherlands.

In Albania, a high-level workshop was organised on the Guidance for supervisors and non-financial institutions to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism. Participants included the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the National Chamber of Notaries, the National Chamber of Advocates, the General Directorate for the Prevention of Money Laundering, the Financial Supervisory Authority, and the Bank of Albania. The practical Guidance will assist the authorities in Albania in achieving effective implementation and efficient allocation of resources to supervising high risk designated non-financial businesses and professions.