Joint FATF/EAG high level mission held in Turkmenistan

The FATF and EAG experts visited Turkmenistan on April 5-6, 2010. They spent two days meeting with high-ranking representatives of government authorities.

The delegation of experts comprised Russian, US, Chinese and Swiss representatives and the EAG Executive Secretary Mr. Igor Nebyvaev. It was led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Treasury Mr. Daniel Glaser. The Head of Rosfinmonitoring Mr. Yury Chikhanchin participated in the mission as the representative of the Russian Federation.

The mission participants were received by Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister Tuvakmammed Dzhaparov. Meetings were also held with the Chairman of Parliament, the Minister of Finance, the General Prosecutor, and the Chairman of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan.
The dialogue between FATF/EAG experts and Turkmenistan representatives was mainly centered around the Republic’s participation in international AML/CFT cooperation.

The fact that Turkmenistan has been added to the FATF non-cooperative and/or high risk jurisdictions list was also an important issue of discussion. The experts of the joint FATF/EAG delegation underlined the paramount significance of international standards to be implemented into national AML/CFT legislation in Turkmenistan.

In the course of consultations Turkmenistan demonstrated high political will towards the enforcement of cooperation in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, corruption and organized crime.

The EAG Executive Secretary Mr. Igor Nebyvaev noted considerable progress in the Turkmen AML/CFT national regime, including the establishment of the FIU within the structure of local Ministry of Finance. He also expressed hope that constructive cooperation between Turkmenistan and EAG will continue.