site.btaJustice Minister, Eurojust President Discuss Setting Up Joint Investigation Teams on Money Laundering

Setting up joint investigation teams on money laundering among the investigating authorities of the countries of Southeastern Europe and the EU Member States were discussed here on Monday by Bulgarian Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev and Eurojust President Michael Schmid, Georgiev's Ministry said in a press release. 

Eurojust, which is the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, supports cross-border judicial cooperation in the investigation of serious cross-border criminal offences and terrorism involving two or more countries. Schmid emphasized that his organization provides legal, logistical and financial assistance to these joint investigation teams.
 
He and Georgiev stressed the importance of exchanging strategic-level knowledge with Bulgarian magistrates, including specialized advice on best practices and experience that Eurojust can provide.

"The Bulgarian Government continues to prioritize the effective investigation and combating of money laundering as part of its efforts for the removal of Bulgaria from the money laundering 'grey list' to which the country was added in 2023," the Justice Minister added.

He was referring to the "grey list" of countries that are actively working with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to address strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing.

The sides noted that they target enhancing cooperation in combating money laundering and all other forms or serious organized crime.