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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kosovo, through the Support to Anti-Corruption Efforts in Kosovo Project (SAEK III), facilitated today the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Office of the Chief Prosecutor and the Switzerland’s Basel Institute on Governance.
This partnership will provide Kosovo’s prosecutors with international legal expertise on prevention and detection of corruption and financial crime cases through tracing and repatriation of stolen assets to Kosovo . Aleksandër Lumezi, the Chief Prosecutor, and Gretta Fenner, the Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance virtually signed the agreement.
On this occasion Mr. Lumezi stated: “Engaging with the Basel Institute of Governance in advancing the prosecutorial system was seen as a necessary step, considering the achievements of the Basel Institute in other countries, in increasing recovered assets, acquired illegally, in the country of origin”.
In her statement, Ms. Gretta Fenner, the Managing Director of the Basel Institute on Governance emphasized the importance of future cooperation: “Asset recovery is a complex process that takes time, however the impact is great and multiple – it not only leads to recovering assets but also deters corruption, reduces impunity and increases the public’s trust.”
“In this time of the twin global health and economic crises brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is of the utmost necessity that resources are spent for the public good. We are happy to have acted as facilitator in this very important agreement” , said Ms. Maria Suokko, UNDP Resident Representative.
UNDP’s partner the Basel Institute is the world leader in supporting investigative authorities track down stolen and hidden assets domestically and abroad.
UNDP in Kosovo continues to work with our partners to build strong and accountable and transparent institutions, and to ensure that funds and assets stolen through corrupt activities are returned to the people. This agreement was made possible thanks to the support of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo, and SIDA.
For more information, please contact:
Burbuqe Dobranja, UNDP Communications Associate
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 410; mobile: 049 720 800 e-mail: burbuqe.dobranja@undp.org
Danijela Mitić, Communication Associate UNDP
Phone: (038) 249 066 ext. 412; mobile: 049 720 824 e-mail: danijela.mitic@undp.org
