AIRE Centre Western Balkans in cooperation with the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) organized Regional Conference on Effective Asset Recovery in Compliance with European Standards in a hybrid format. Regional Conference was supported by the Ministry of Justice of North Macedonia and the UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (UKCSSF).

The keynote speech was delivered by Judge Robert Spano, President of the European Court of Human Rights. and the presentations were also given by judges, prosecutors & representatives of the law schools from Western Balkans.

Ms. Biljana Braithwaite, Director of AIRE Western Balkans Centre in her opening remarks said that asset recovery strengthens public trust in institutions and is an essential aspect of efforts to uphold the rule of law in the region.

The UK Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, Ms. Rachel Galloway expressed her hopes that this conference will result in more practical cooperation at national and international levels between law enforcement agencies to track money laundering and recover stolen assets.

Ms. Desislava Gotskova, Head of RAI Secretariat emphasized the commitment of AIRE and RAI, with the support of the UK Government, to work with prominent international experts, judges, prosecutors, and asset recovery practitioners in the SEE to exchange good practice and experience, and to expand their knowledge.

Judge Robert Spano reiterated that corruption threatens the rule of law, democracy and human rights and endangers the stability of democratic institutions and the moral foundations of society.

Over 150 participants in Skopje and online had the opportunity to get better acquainted with the international and regional perspective on asset recovery, through two conference panels focusing on the issues of confiscation of the proceeds of corruption and means of effective fight against illicit finances. (View the gallery)