OSCE connects South-Eastern European and Central Asian prosecutors at special PCOCP networking meeting in Vienna

On 1–2 December 2025, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities hosted a special Networking Meeting of the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors (PCOCP) at the Hofburg in Vienna. For the first time, the event brought together prosecutors from 13 South-Eastern and Western European jurisdictions with their counterparts from the five Central Asian participating States, as well as experts from INTERPOL and EUROJUST, to strengthen cross-regional co-operation against transnational organized crime.

Discussions focused on criminal pathways connecting Central Asia and Europe, practical co-operation in financial investigations, cross-border asset recovery mechanisms, and emerging threats linked to virtual assets, encrypted communications and the use of artificial intelligence by criminal groups. Participants also explored opportunities for operational collaboration, including possible models for involving Central Asian jurisdictions in the PCOCP framework and strengthening ties with international mechanisms such as the Silver Notice system.

“The challenges we face are complex, global and constantly evolving. Criminal networks adapt quickly, exploit borders, and seek out weak links in our systems. The only effective response is a collective one” said Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, the OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

The meeting featured dedicated parallel sessions, including the Eleventh Annual General Meeting of the SEE PCOCP and a discussion on establishing an informal prosecutors’ network for Central Asia with direct linkage to the PCOCP. 

“The establishment of this network helps to reduce and effectively overcome procedural barriers that often hinder the fight against organized crime, without bypassing formal procedures or replacing existing legal instruments” said Apostolos Tzamalis, Chief Public Prosecutor of the Larisa Court of First Instance in Greece.

This Networking Meeting was organized as part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Asset Recovery Efforts in the OSCE Region,” funded with assistance from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.  Funding was also provided by the Government of Italy.