Best practices in fighting money-laundering, international co-operation focus of OSCE workshop in Belarus

MINSK, 14 November 2007 - International standards in combating money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, as well as the role of international organizations are being discussed at an OSCE workshop that opened in Minsk today.

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Office in Minsk, brought together representatives of the Prosecutor's office, the National Bank, members of Government and Parliament, as well as international experts from Latvia, Ukraine and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

"Money-laundering and the financing of terrorism are among the world's fastest growing criminal businesses. Developments at the national and international level have brought an increased recognition of the role of anti money-laundering measures in promoting economic development, private business and the rule of law," said Bernard Snoy, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental activities.

"The OSCE has been actively involved in addressing these threats, in co-operation with UNODC, the Council of Europe and other international partners."

Snoy, who is on a three-day visit to Belarus, opened the seminar together with Valery Mitskevicz, the Director of the Belarus National Law Drafting Centre.

The OSCE supports participating States in fulfilling their commitments to develop effective structures for financial analysis, criminal investigation and prosecution against money-laundering and the financing of terrorism, and in promoting procedures that are consistent with the principles of good governance and the rule of law.

The workshop was a result of a joint project between the OSCE Office in Minsk and the National Legislative Drafting Centre and supported by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.