North Macedonia Introduces New Operational Tool to Enhance Cross-Border Asset Recovery
18 February 2026, Skopje, North Macedonia: The Government of North Macedonia convened the first meeting of the National Commission for Financial Investigations and Asset Confiscation. The meeting was inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance Policies, H.E. Mr. Arben Fetai. The Commission contributes to the coordination and monitoring of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets 2025-2028.
With support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Italy, national authorities developed the Checklist to Facilitate the Return of Assetswhich was launched during the meeting. This is a practical tool designed to guide practitioners through the international asset recovery process.
The Checklist provides a clear, step-by-step framework for prosecutors, judges, and relevant institutions on how to identify, freeze, confiscate, and ultimately return assets located abroad. The document clarifies which institution acts at each stage, under which legal basis, and through which international cooperation mechanisms. The process is structured around four main stages – identification; provisional measures (freezing and seizure); confiscation; and return or sharing of assets – ensuring a coordinated and legally sound approach.
By standardizing procedures and strengthening coordination between the Asset Recovery Office, the Ministry of Justice, prosecution services, and international partners, the Checklist aims to reduce delays, prevent procedural gaps, and enhance the effectiveness of cross-border asset recovery.
The launch of the Checklist took place within the broader implementation phase of the Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets 2025-2028, coordinated by the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance Policies through the National Commission. The Strategy focuses on translating strategic commitments into measurable operational results, strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, and ensuring that criminal proceeds are effectively traced, confiscated, and returned.
H.E. Mr. Arben Fetai emphasized that effective confiscation of criminal assets requires a well-coordinated system for the exchange of financial and other relevant information throughout the entire investigation cycle. He underlined that institutions must move from strategic planning to tangible operational results, ensuring that the legal framework is translated into concrete action.
The Checklist was developed under the UNODC Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe within the UNODC Regional platform to fast-track the implementation of UNCAC in the Western Balkans. The activity was implemented with the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy, reinforcing North Macedonia’s continued commitment to strengthening asset recovery and combating economic crime.
18 February 2026, Skopje, North Macedonia: The Government of North Macedonia convened the first meeting of the National Commission for Financial Investigations and Asset Confiscation. The meeting was inaugurated by the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Good Governance Policies, H.E. Mr. Arben Fetai. The Commission contributes to the coordination and monitoring of the National Strategy for Financial Investigations and Confiscation of Assets 2025-2028.