During the plenary session in Strasbourg (11-14 March 2019), MEPs debate the urgency for an EU blacklist of third countries in line with the Anti-Money Laundering Directive: extracts from the debate (12/03) and from the vote. Statements by Melania-Gabriela CIOT, Romanian Secretary of State for European Affairs, Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Markus FERBER, Ana GOMES (S&D, PT), Ralph PACKET (ECR, BE), Nils TORVALDS (ALDE, FI) and Matt CARTHY (GUE/NGL, IE). The resolution was adopted by a show of hands with an overwhelming majority.

Strasbourg

debate

vote

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

fight against tax fraud and evasion (T)

fight against organised crime, corruption and money laundering (T)

CARTHY, Matt (GUE/NGL, IE)

GOMES, Ana (S&D, PT)

FERBER, Markus (EPP, DE)

TORVALDS, Nils (Renew, FI)

PACKET, Ralph (ECR, BE)

CIOT, Melania-Gabriela (RO)

Urgency for an EU blacklist of third countries in line with the Anti-Money Laundering Directive: extracts from the debate (12/03) and from the vote

SOUNDBITE (English), Melania-Gabriela CIOT, Romanian Secretary of State for European Affairs, The Council has objected to the Commission&rsquo;s delegated act identifying high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies. This decision to object does not mean that the listing is not an important element of the ongoing work. On the contrary.But to achieve the full impact of this instrument and to ensure its quality, we need to introduce the list in an orderly process.

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, After each terrorist attack, we hear passionate speeches about how we have to efficiently fight against terrorists. After each banking scandal, we hear a lot of other speeches about how we have to make our financial sector more healthy. This is what we try to do, including by means of high&mdash;risk third countries, and this is what we did. We did it according to the methodology on which consultations were held and which was adopted in a transparent manner. That&rsquo;s why I have to start by expressing my deep regret that the Council rejected this list &ndash; because being equipped with such a list, we would be able to start with this efficient fight immediately.

SOUNDBITE (German), Markus FERBER (EPP, DE), The argument has often been heard in recent weeks that one should not put this or that third state on the list because they are important allies. If we engage in this argument, the list loses all credibility. Because then it is clear that a third country must only lobby the Member States intensively to be removed from the list.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT), Now the governments of the European Union argue that it is the fault of Brussels. The Council, and every one of the 28 governments of the Member States allow themselves to be captured by perverse interests, succumbing to pressure from either the regime Saudi Arabia or the Trump Administration. My tribute, Commissioner Jourov&aacute;, for your determination and your persistence. You have our full support.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Ralph PACKET (ECR, BE), So there is now a new list and the countries on it, Panama, Iran, etc. will not be penalized, but European banks will have to check transactions involving customers or banks from those countries. I believe that is very important in the fight against financial fraud.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Nils TORVALDS (ALDE, FI), Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, we have seen a systematic stealing of state and other property, which is then transformed into various property in Europe or in tax havens through various channels. After all, that's what has been the common feature of all the bank scandals we've seen.  Not putting Russia on this list suggests to us that you are not really seriously considering how to deal with this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Matt CARTHY (GUE/NGL, IE), we have before us one of the starkest examples that we&rsquo;ve seen of the impact of lobbying on the Council that is harming the people of the EU. The new process for compiling the anti-money laundering blacklist is far from perfect. It ignores the fact that the majority of international money laundering scandals in recent years have actually involved European banks. Nevertheless, we welcome the increased autonomy in the process. The Council&rsquo;s objections are politically motivated interference in a process that&rsquo;s supposed to be independent.

Shots of voting process. Vice President Rainer Wieland, announces that the proposal has been adopted (3 shots)