Ep 38: Inside the Additional Protocol to the Warsaw Convention

Jill Thomas speaks with Cornel Calinescu, chair of the Council of Europe committee that negotiated the new Additional Protocol to the Warsaw Convention. They discuss who writes asset recovery standards and what they mean for front-line practitioners. Cornel takes us inside the Strasbourg negotiations, where 41 jurisdictions turned a small protocol into more than 40 technical articles. He explains how an open treaty creates a common language: definitions for crypto assets and VASPs, broader confiscation types, standard forms for seizing orders, and post-conviction tracing. They also cover value as the measurement unit of asset recovery, interlocutory sales, and why statistics are still missing. **Timestamps** 07:00 – Asset recovery over the last 20 years 13:15 – the Warsaw Convention and the 1% problem 19:30 – The Strasbourg negotiations 24:15 – An open treaty with a common language 29:00 – Crypto, confiscation types and standard forms 37:00 – Value as a measurement unit 40:45 – Interlocutory sales and ANABI 45:15 – Cornel's magic wand: changing the mindset #### **About Our Guest** Cornel Calinescu is an asset recovery consultant and chair of the Council of Europe committee on the Additional Protocol to the Warsaw Convention, elected by the 41 jurisdictions taking part. Over 26 years at Romania's Ministry of Justice, he established the country's first asset recovery office and led its consolidation into ANABI. He is a long-standing member of CARIN. #### **Key Takeaways** **Asset Recovery Needs One Language** The protocol defines crypto assets, VASPs and confiscation types so every party means the same thing. **The Protocol Reaches Beyond Europe** As an open treaty, jurisdictions outside the Council of Europe can use adopt instrument. **Value Is the Measurement Unit** Only tracking value from crime to disposal shows whether a case met its target. **Seize Assets, Not Paper** Value-based orders must be backed by tracing, seizing and managing real assets. **Speed Is Built Into the Process** Standard forms replace translated, stamped files when crypto moves in a click. #### **Resources Mentioned** - Cornel Calinescu on LinkedIn - Council of Europe Warsaw Convention - Additional Protocol to the Warsaw Convention - EU Directive on Asset Recovery and Confiscation - FATF Asset Recovery Guidance #### **Stay Connected** If you found this episode useful, make sure you: - Subscribe to Seize & Desist wherever you listen - Follow Asset Reality on LinkedIn for updates, resources, and future episodes - Share this episode with colleagues working in asset recovery, investigations, or financial crime #### **Disclaimer** Our podcasts are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide legal, tax, financial, and/or investment advice. Listeners must consult their own advisors before making any decisions on the topics being discussed. Asset Reality has no responsibility or liability for any decision made or any other acts or omissions in connection with your use of this material. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Asset Reality employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Asset Reality does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, suitability or validity of the information in any particular podcast and will not be responsible for any claim attributable to errors, omissions, or other inaccuracies of any part of such material. Unless stated otherwise, reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Asset Reality.