Antigua And Barbuda Signs Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty With Ukraine

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com

28 April 2008

Deborah-Mae Lovell, Antigua's Ambassador to the United States of America and her Ukrainian counterpart Oleh Shamshur, have signed a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.

The signing ceremony, held at the Embassy of Ukraine in Washington on 17th April was also attended by the Honourable Mykola V. Onishchuk, Minister of Justice of Ukraine.

The signing of the treaty, the culmination of negotiations which commenced in 2002, will enhance the ability of both countries in their fight against money laundering, terrorism and the financing of terrorism.

Commenting, Ambassador Lovell noted that:

"Today's ceremony should serve as a reminder and a warning to all those persons who would misappropriate state funds for personal use, that Antigua and Barbuda is not a place where such persons are welcome."

"Persons who commit such acts will be exposed and the money confiscated," the Ambassador concluded.

Speaking on behalf of his Government, Minister Onishchuk expressed the satisfaction of his Government that negotiations had been successfully completed, observing that:

"The signing of this treaty is a demonstration of the shared will of Antigua and Barbuda and Ukraine to cooperate in the investigation, prosecution and prevention of crimes in both countries."

Through agreement between the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the Ukraine, this Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters will enter into force when negotiations on an Assets Sharing Agreement are concluded.

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