Speaking elements for the opening of the 2nd meeting of the
Committee of experts on Criminal Asset Recovery (PC-RAC)
by the Director General
9 September 2024, 9.30am (Palais de l’Europe, Room 6)
Welcome participants and express appreciation for the participation of the members states, observers, as well as the EU and the FATF.
Underline that this 2nd meeting marks the beginning of the most intensive phase of the work of the PC-RAC, bearing in mind its mandate to finalise a draft text of the Additional Protocol by December 2025.
Current draft draws on delegations’ inputs during previous meeting.
Since 1991 and the adoption of the Strasbourg Convention, the Council of Europe has continuously provided tools and mechanisms to support its members in combating money laundering and organised crime and recovering of the proceeds of such crime.
Recall that the future Protocol will be instrumental in facilitating the recovery of proceeds of corruption and other crime, and their repatriation.
Underline that it is important to ensure that the Protocol not only aligns with the Warsaw Convention, but also enhances that Convention’s capacity to address the modern challenges of criminal asset recovery and meets the needs of the current and future fight against crime.
Future Additional Protocol should offer a new range of possibilities for judicial and law enforcement authorities to freeze, seize and confiscate the proceeds deriving from criminal activities and cooperate effectively in this context. It is also open to non member states.
Invite Delegates to seek to find common grounds. Count on Secretariat support.
