Strengthening Regional Cooperation: First Exchange of Data under the International Treaty on Asset Declarations Soon to Begin

On the margins of the High-Level Berlin Process Side Event – “Anti-Corruption and Good Governance in the Western Balkans: Advancing the Path to Integration”, a working meeting was held between the Regional Anti-corruption Initiative (RAI) and the delegation from Montenegro, represented by Momo Koprivica, Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Judiciary and Anti-corruption, Sergej Sekulović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, and Dušan Drakić, Acting Director of the Agency for Prevention of Corruption.

Montenegro has signed and ratified the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations, joining North Macedonia and Moldova among the first countries ready to operationalize the mechanism. With focal points now identified in Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, and ratification in Serbia expected soon, the first exchange of data is set to begin shortly — marking a tangible milestone in the region’s efforts to strengthen integrity and transparency.

The International Treaty on Exchange of Data for the Verification of Asset Declarations was initially signed on March 19, 2021 by Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, with Moldova joining as a signatory on October 23, 2023. It has since been ratified by North Macedonia (2024), Montenegro (2024), and Moldova (2025).

The Treaty establishes a legal and technical framework for cross-border exchange of data for the verification of asset declarations, enabling integrity institutions to effectively detect and prevent illicit enrichment.

RAI, with support of Austrian Development Agency, facilitated the entire process of technical and political negotiations, leading to consensus among the participating states, with Serbia designated as the depository state. The finalization of the Treaty text was achieved through a series of workshops held in 2015 and 2016, engaging representatives of integrity bodies from South-Eastern Europe and international partners, including the Basel Institute on Governance, UNODC, UNDP, and the World Bank.

This meeting in Sarajevo sent a powerful message of regional unity and commitment to transparency and accountability — and delivered a concrete result on the path toward stronger anti-corruption cooperation in South-Eastern Europe.

Sarajevo, October 6, 2025