Latvian and Dutch experts are strengthening cooperation to more effectively detect and investigate violations of international sanctions. This fall, representatives of both countries met in The Hague and Riga, sharing experience and methods that help strengthen financial security in sanctions matters.
Recognizing Latvia's role as the guardian of the EU's external border, in September this year, representatives of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Customs Administration of the State Revenue Service (SRS), the Tax and Customs Police Administration of SRS, and the State Security Service were invited to visit the Dutch Ministry of Finance's Investigation Service (FIOD) to hear about Latvia's experience, which has made investigating sanctions violations one of its priorities.
During the visit, representatives of both countries shared their experiences, methods and suggestions on how to detect, investigate and hold accountable sanctions violations. The Netherlands' competence in investigating sanctions violations is considered one of the most effective internationally.
In early November, the FIU hosted FIOD representatives to continue the discussions already underway and to encourage new ideas for improving internal processes. FIOD presented the FIU with practical examples of how investigations are conducted and what are the most important aspects that need attention. During this visit, representatives of both countries were once again convinced of the importance of building close bilateral cooperation to ensure the exchange of good practices and a reliable professional partnership.
The valuable experience of FIOD was also available to a wider audience at the conference “Protecting the Border: Sanctions, Export Control and Corporate Responsibility” organized by the FIU on November 6, 2025. During the conference, Ruud Leeuwendaal, Head of FIOD’s Counter-Terrorism Financing and Sanctions Group, spoke about practical cases and consequences resulting from sanctions violations during a panel discussion.
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