TAIEX Workshop on Asset Recovery Offices

Workshop on Asset Recovery Offices (ARO) was held in Ankara Plaza Hotel within the cooperation of Ministry for EU Affairs and TAIEX of the European Commission on 14-15 December 2011.

In two-day workshop, under Chapter 4 of Free Movement of Capital, participants were given information about the EU acquis and the implementation of EU Member States regarding AROs which are set forth to establish for the facilitation of the tracing and identification of proceeds of crime and other crime related property.

Mr. Ahmet YÜCEL, Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry for EU Affairs, emphasized in his opening speech the importance of finalising the necessary technical workings on setting up or designating a national ARO. Mr. YUCEL also stated that the establishment of new institutions which are crucial for Türkiye is one of the most important gains of the negotiation process.

Mr. YUCEL highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among related institutions and benefiting from international mechanisms in fight against crime. Mr. YUCEL also underlined that AROs should have a multidisciplinary structure containing representatives from judicial authorities, law enforcement agencies, tax authorities, social security institutions, customs administrations and other related units.

Representatives from Turkish Court of Accounts, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Customs and Trade, Prime Ministry Inspection Board, Undersecretariat of treasury, Social Security Institution, Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, Capital Markets Board, Banks Association of Türkiye and Participation Banks Association of Türkiye participated in the workshop.