OSCE Centre organizes workshop in Ashgabad on combating financing of terrorism

ASHGABAD, 14 December 2005 - Legal and administrative tools to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism are the focus of a workshop which today opened in Ashgabad.

The two-day event is organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the support of the Government of Turkmenistan and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad.

Eighteen officials representing Turkmenistan's Central Bank, Supreme Court, Foreign and Justice ministries, and law enforcement bodies are taking part in the workshop.

"Blocking the channels through which terrorism is financed is one of the most important issues in the fight against terrorism," said Ibrahim Djikic, Head of the OSCE Centre.

"This requires comprehensive legislation on both national and international levels, as well as effective institutions for criminal investigation and procedures, consistent with democratic principles of human rights and the rule of law."

Representatives of the OSCE and UNODC will present key international instruments and institutions dealing with the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism, and experts from Austria and France will share their countries' experience in the field.

International experts will also help participants identify needs for further development of Turkmenistan's legislation on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism.

"Each international organization has its own specific instruments to combat terrorism and money laundering," said Marc Baltes of the OCEEA. "Given its comprehensive concept of security, its presence and experience in the field, the OSCE is well suited to assist participating States in effectively combating terrorism."