Sitemap

Acting Assistant Secretary Of The US’s Treasury Paul Ahern Visits Serbia

Elon Musk Reclaims Title Of World’s Richest Person

Elon Musk is once again the world’s...

Argentina’s Candidate Wins Vote To Lead UN Weather Agency

 Argentina's Celeste Saulo was appointed to head...

Sweden Likely To Becoming First Smoke-free Country

Sweden has the lowest smoking rate in...

The President Of India Draupadi Murmu Visits Serbia

The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, has arrived on an official visit to Serbia, where she will stay for...

Slovenia To Take Up Seat Of UNSC Non-permanent Member For 2024-2025

Slovenia, not Belarus, will take up the seat of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024-2025...

Čadež: The Western Balkans Is The Region Of Potential And Not Problems

Europe should accept, as soon as possible, the fact that the Western Balkans (WB) is not the region of...

World Environment Day 25 June: Solutions To Plastic Pollution

More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only...

Serbia To Celebrate The EU Green Week

Serbia is celebrating the EU Green Week again this year, with a set of events that brings together hundreds...

During a visit to Serbia from 13-15 December, US Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Paul Ahern met with key government and business leaders to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern to the United States and Serbia.  

Mr. Ahern, the Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the US Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, is visiting the region this week to learn about the threat that organized crime and corruption pose to stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans, and in particular to understand how the United States can help support Serbia’s strategic priority of joining the European Union.

On December 8 the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned the leadership of the Veselinovic organized crime group and affiliated individuals and companies for their destabilizing and corrupt behavior.  This activity has harmed citizens and businesses in Serbia and Kosovo.

“The individuals and companies targeted by these sanctions must be held accountable and their destabilizing actions thwarted,” Mr. Ahern said, adding, “President Biden has been clear that combatting corruption is a key priority of the United States.  The Department of Treasury will continue to hold corrupt actors accountable, wherever they might be.”

In meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, and the Prosecutors office, Mr. Ahern learned more about the challenges facing the Government of Serbia as it continues to focus on economic growth and reforms needed for accession to the European Union.  Mr. Ahern congratulated Serbia on the results from the recent MONEYVAL report, which recognizes its efforts in the fields of anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing.  Serbia is largely complaint across a range of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, and has improved its anti-money laundering regime and authorities notably.  These improvements were possible due to political commitment and quick action by key government ministries.  Mr. Ahern conveyed that while technical compliance is necessary, the implementation of the laws remains essential for progress.

Read more

H.E. Anthony F. Godfrey, Ambassador of the U.S.A. to Serbia

We Want Serbia to Succeed

The United States has no higher priority for our work in Serbia than to add a 28th star to the EU’s flag. Serbia is a...

United States Donates Five More Ambulances To Healthcare Institutions In Serbia

Five fully equipped ambulances are on their way to Serbian healthcare institutions to help them respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as...

The visit also included meetings with officials from private banks in Serbia to discuss the importance of compliance of international regulations in ensuring continued economic growth for Serbia and further economic integration with both the region and the European Union.  

Mr. Ahern emphasized that the United States is grateful for the partnership between Serbia and the U.S. Department of Treasury in areas of illicit finance and looks forward to continued progress in addressing these important issues. 

Photo: Ministarstvo spoljnjih poslova

Related Articles

Of The Seven Members Of EPS New Supervisory Board Three Are From Norway

The Minister of Energy, Dubravka Đedović, presented to the Government of Serbia the new members of the Supervisory Board of the joint-stock company Elektroprivreda...

The President Of India Draupadi Murmu Visits Serbia

The President of India, Draupadi Murmu, has arrived on an official visit to Serbia, where she will stay for three days.  She was welcomed...

Čadež: The Western Balkans Is The Region Of Potential And Not Problems

Europe should accept, as soon as possible, the fact that the Western Balkans (WB) is not the region of problems and trouble but of...

Serbia To Celebrate The EU Green Week

Serbia is celebrating the EU Green Week again this year, with a set of events that brings together hundreds of citizens of all ages...

H.E. Christopher Hill, U.S. Ambassador To Serbia

Mutual Understanding Is The Bedrock Of Community Resilience

Crises remind us to listen and be kind to one another, transcending divisions like politics and embracing our shared humanity Any crisis is a reminder...

Century Of The Belgrade Philharmonic

Enthusiasm, Dedication And Virtuosity

In the year that sees the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra celebrate its centenary, we look back at the wonderful maestros and artists who’ve woven their...

Italian Fashion

Pearls Of Italian Fashion Presented In Belgrade

IFIB - Italian Fashion in Belgrade, an event dedicated to the promotion of Italian fashion in Serbia and organised by the Italian Embassy in...

Jelena Petrović Njegoš (It. Elena Del Montenegro, Or Elena Di Savoia) 1873-1952

150th Anniversary Of The Birth Of The Last Italian Queen

Jelena Petrović Njegoš, aka Elena of Montenegro (It. Elena del Montenegro or Elena di Savoia), was a Montenegrin princess and an Italian queen, a...