Brussels, 13/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 12 April, the European Commission adopted a report on the functioning of “Asset Recovery Offices” (AROs) set up by member states to fight organised crime. “By identifying illegally acquired assets on their national territory and by facilitating the exchange of relevant information at European level, these offices help depriving criminals from their criminal profits”, explains the Commission. Under a Council of Ministers' decision taken in 2007, member states were obliged to set up central contact points to exchange information and best practice in this connection.
In the report, the Commission explains that not all member states have AROs yet, but cooperation among the existing AROs is generally positive. Despite differences in the way the AROs operate and in their powers and access to information, cross-brooder requests for information about assets owned by criminals tend to be answered within the set deadlines.
It points out, however, that much work remains to be done to recover the considerable sums of criminal gains generated within the EU, and lists the problems facing the AROs in accessing the financial information required to this end.
Taking further measures to give the AROs greater resources, powers and training, the member states would help boost cooperation at EU level and allow greater detection of illegal assets arising from crime, explains the Commission.
In 2011, the Commission will unveil draft legislation on the freezing, confiscation and use of criminal assets, as promised in its domestic security strategy in 2010 and as urged by EU interior ministers at their meeting in January 2011 in Gödöllõ, on the outskirts of Budapest. (S.P./transl.fl)