Georgia’s financial crime investigators and the UK’s National Crime Agency discuss closer cooperation

Merab Gamkrelidze, Head of the Investigation Service at Georgia’s Ministry of Finance, held an introductory meeting with Jonathan Matthews, the International Liaison Officer at the British Embassy in Georgia and a representative of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

Davit Ardazishvili, Deputy Head of the Investigation Service, and Davit Shakarashvili, Deputy Head of the International Relations and Legal Support Department, also attended.

The two sides discussed the challenges in tackling financial and economic crime and ways to deepen cooperation between their law enforcement agencies. The parties paid particular attention to the importance of active communication and setting shared priorities.

Both sides expressed their readiness to continue working together in specific areas. They noted that a deeper partnership would help share international best practice, including studying and analysing current legislation, and exchange experience of modern methods for tackling cybercrime and other economic crimes.

According to the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance, the two sides will continue planning future joint activities to strengthen professional cooperation between relevant Georgian and UK agencies.