Africa-Press – Angola. The Portuguese ambassador to Angola, Francisco Alegre Duarte, reaffirmed the willingness of his country’s justice bodies to continue to cooperate with Angolan judicial institutions, in an active and committed manner, with a view to the success of the asset recovery process.
Cooperation between Portuguese and Angolan justice institutions, according to the diplomat, is at a level of proximity that demonstrates the commitment of both countries to continue working on matters.
“Angola knows that it can always count on the active participation and commitment of Portugal, in an area of sovereignty that is always delicate”, said the head of the Portuguese diplomatic mission in Angola, during the opening session of the seminar on Confiscation of Assets, held in last Friday, in Luanda.
“It is a challenge, but at the same time an opportunity for Angola to reinforce its integration in the International Financial System, which brings countless fundamental benefits to the economy, functioning of institutions, attraction of foreign investment”, he added.
The issue of asset confiscation, he said, involves several sectors, “from the Judiciary to Finance, passing through Police and Criminal Investigation, to International Cooperation”, stressing that it is fair to mention that “the relationship between Portugal and Angola has been remarkable”, in several aspects.
“We speak the same language and have a similar legal culture, which has resulted in an exceptional proximity in terms of training and research”, he argued.
Francisco Alegre Duarte considers that the recovery of assets is covered by multiple challenges, noting that there are advantages in Angola, after adjusting legislation to the best international standards and the means for an effective criminal investigation, which contributes to “strengthening the ability to manage assets ” seized and recovered.
“In the context of sub-Saharan Africa, Angola is one of the countries that have registered the greatest progress in the Corruption Perception Index of the International Transparency Organization. In addition, the amount and values recovered by the National Asset Recovery Service continues to increase. The Superior Courts play a fundamental role in terms of judicial decisions”, he pointed out.
The Portuguese ambassador highlighted the fact that the recent Mutual Evaluation Report of the Financial Action Group (FATF) presented essential recommendations for strengthening the System for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
“To reach this feat, a lot of work has been done, but also the current Money Laundering Law of 2020, as well as various judicial and judicial trainings, in addition to the creation of work networks with other countries”, stressed the diplomat, admitting that “legislative harmonization made it possible to implement international judicial cooperation in criminal matters”, with such initiatives “relying on the direct support of Portuguese cooperation”, through the Support Project for the Rule of Law.
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