At the request of the Ministry of Finance in Pristina, the Council of Europe contributed to the high-level international conference ‘Beyond Compliance: Building Resilient Economies Through Financial Integrity’ that was organized within the framework of Berlin Process.
The event brought together senior representatives from government institutions, financial regulators and intelligence authorities, financial institutions, international organisations, and regional partners. The event was addressed by the Minister of Finance who highlighted Kosovo*'s efforts to prevent illegal financing and enhance the traceability of financial transactions through regulatory measures such as reducing cash payments and regulating crypto assets.
The Council of Europe actively contributed to the session on detecting and understanding illicit financial flows, emphasizing the critical role of a "follow the money" approach. In this respect the conference benefited from expert insights on the trajectory from tracing financial trails from inception, converting raw data into actionable intelligence, and facilitating timely information sharing across institutions. The session prioritized operational impact: converting intelligence into robust investigations and prosecutions that effectively disrupt financial crime.
This contribution is a continuity of Council of Europe’s ongoing commitment to supporting Kosovo institutions in strengthening the AML/CFT system by promoting international standards and equipping authorities with practical tools for transforming complex financial data into proactive investigations, robust prosecutions, and tangible results against money laundering.
The contribution was provided within the framework of the Action on Countering Corruption and Economic Crime funded and implemented by the Council of Europe.
* All reference to Kosovo, whether the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.