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- Source: Eurojust https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/eurojust-focus-group-aims-strengthen-cooperation-non-eu-partners-trace-and-recover-criminal
The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, Eurojust, convened 36 experts and practitioners from 34 jurisdictions in The Hague on 8-9 October for the second annual meeting of its Judicial Focus Group on Money Laundering and Asset Recovery, the agency said in a statement. The two-day session examined how to make cross-border cooperation faster and more effective in tracing and confiscating criminal assets.
Key facts
- Eurojust hosted 36 experts and practitioners from 34 jurisdictions at its second annual Judicial Focus Group on Money Laundering and Asset Recovery meeting on 8-9 October.
- The meeting focused on practical obstacles to judicial cooperation between EU and non-EU countries, including differing legal systems, evidential requirements, dual-criminality rules and procedural safeguards.
- Participants discussed complex cases involving the use of virtual IBANs and the capacity of states to carry out post-conviction asset recovery.
- Eurojust highlighted tools such as coordination meetings, joint investigation teams, coordinated action days and its network of contact points as ways to resolve problems early.
What slows cooperation between EU and non-EU courts?
According to Eurojust, economic crime increasingly crosses borders, with offenders shifting assets between countries to escape freezing and confiscation. Recovering those assets is a strategic priority in the EU's fight against organised crime and a central element of the agency's casework.
Over the two days, participants reviewed the practical hurdles that can delay or block judicial cooperation between EU member states and third countries. The agency cited differences in legal systems, evidential requirements, dual-criminality rules and procedural safeguards as recurring obstacles.
Where do virtual IBANs fit in?
Particular attention went to complex cases, including those involving the use of virtual IBANs, and to whether states have the capacity to conduct asset recovery after a conviction. The discussions stressed the value of early communication and a clear grasp of what the requested jurisdiction requires before a formal request is filed.
Participants also looked at how Eurojust could help clear such obstacles before they arise. The agency pointed to coordination meetings, joint investigation teams, coordinated action days and its network of contact points as mechanisms already available to national authorities.
What did the group conclude?
The meeting underlined that strong international cooperation, early coordination and clear, targeted requests are central to recovering criminal assets and disrupting organised crime, Eurojust said. By drawing on lessons from earlier cases, participants explored how future cooperation could become more predictable, efficient and effective.
Eurojust is an agency of the European Union. The focus group's work feeds into the bloc's wider efforts against money laundering and economic crime, where asset recovery depends on courts in several jurisdictions acting in step.
The second annual meeting followed the group's inaugural session, and Eurojust has not announced the date of the next gathering.
Source: Eurojust
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