Back From training to impact: strengthening Armenia’s capacity to tackle financial crime

From training to impact: strengthening Armenia’s capacity to tackle financial crime

To ensure economic stability, uphold the rule of law, and protect society from the impact of  illicit financial activities, strong and effective responses to economic crime are essential. The Council of Europe, in co-operation with the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia, which plays an important role at addressing financial crimes at the national level, held a one-day training to strengthen the financial investigation capacities of operative intelligence officers.

Officers participating explored key aspects on the fundamentals of money laundering, relevant typologies, and practical tools for identifying risk indicators. Special attention was given to conducting parallel financial investigations, including coordination between investigative bodies and the Financial Intelligence Unit, as well as the role and powers of the State Revenue Committee in investigative processes.

Human rights remained central to the training, through the presentation of European Court of Human Rights relevant case law, including the Hambardzumyan v. Armenia judgment, highlighting how investigations must respect privacy and other fundamental rights while remaining effective.

This activity demonstrates the Council of Europe’s added value in supporting national institutions to combine professional expertise with European standards. By building sustainable skills, the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia is empowered to conduct financial investigations that are both efficient and fully aligned with human rights principles.

This event is part of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the Project on “Enhancing national capacities for effective prevention and fight against economic crime in Armenia”. 

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 19 JANUARY 2026
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What is the goal and objective of the project?

This project aims to support further improvements of the legislative and institutional framework against corruption, money laundering and economic crime in Armenia, but also focus on ensuring the effectiveness of its implementation. It seeks to strengthen the capacities of the country's anticorruption and anti-money laundering bodies, support the introduction and application of new mechanisms to combat corruption, and raise awareness on anticorruption and integrity.
This project is implemented within the third Phase of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Partnership for Good Governance” running from 2023 until 2026. It builds on the results of the previous phases of the Partnership for Good Governance in the field of countering economic crime (Phase I 2015-2018 and Phase II 2019-2023).

What is the project duration?

The project runs from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2026.

What is the budget of the project?

► The total project budget is EUR 630,000.
► The overall Programme budget is EUR 19.3 M (80% is co-funded by the European Union and 20% by the Council of Europe).

Who benefits from the project?

► Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Internal Affairs;
► Anti-Corruption Committee;
► Corruption Prevention Commission;
► Civil Service Council;
► Central Bank of Armenia;
► Financial Monitoring Center (FIU of Armenia);
► National Security Service;
► Civil Service Office;
► Office of the General Prosecutor (the Department for Combatting Economic Crimes);
► Investigative Committee of Armenia;
► Judiciary;
► Civil society and the general public.

How does the project work?

Through a combination of tailored policy/legislative and capacity-building actions.

What do we expect to achieve?

► Strengthened legislative, strategic and institutional frameworks and capacities for the effective prevention of corruption;
► Increased effectiveness of detection, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of corruption-related offences;
► Advanced legislative and institutional frameworks and increased technical capacities in anti-money
laundering, countering terrorism financing and related asset recovery.

How to get more information?

► The Project is implemented by the Council of Europe Action against Economic Crime Department through its Economic Crime and Co-operation Division (Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law)
► Partnership for Good Governance
Website: http://partnership-governance-eu.coe.int/
email: [email protected]
► Council of Europe Office in Yerevan Website: https://www.coe.int/yerevan
email: [email protected]


 

What is the Partnership for Good Governance?

The “Partnership for Good Governance” (PGG) is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe for strengthening good governance in the Eastern Partnership region*. The "Partnership for Good Governance" provides tailor-made support to Eastern Partnership countries to bring their legislation and practice closer to European standards in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy. It supports, in particular, Eastern Partnership countries’ domestic reforms to strengthen justice, counter economic crime, promote equality and non-discrimination, advance women’s access to justice and combat violence against women.

* While the Partnership for Good Governance does not include activities with the participation of the Belarusian authorities, activities may be organised with the representatives of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces as appropriate in line with the European Council Conclusions of February 2022 and the Decision of the Council of Europe Ministers’ Deputies of March 2022.