Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
According to a European statement issued in Brussels, the United Arab Emirates hosted the eighth UAE-EU Structural Dialogue on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in Abu Dhabi. The strategic meeting affirmed the strong commitment and ongoing cooperation between the UAE and the European Union in combating financial crime and strengthening international cooperation. According to a statement issued Tuesday evening by the European External Action Service in Brussels, the statement also stated, "Senior representatives from both sides reviewed key areas of cooperation, including judicial coordination, law enforcement cooperation, financial intelligence exchange, and strengthening partnerships between the UAE and the EU to ensure compatibility and mutual effectiveness.
The dialogue included a comprehensive review of ongoing cooperation between UAE and EU authorities, focusing on global trends, emerging risks, and challenges related to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Both sides explored possible ways to expand joint efforts to protect financial systems from illicit activities, as well as adherence to global compliance standards. The UAE continues to strengthen its commitment to combating global financial crime, which remains at the core of its national strategy, supported by wise leadership and robust enforcement measures.
As a result of the dialogue, both sides agreed on their intention to move forward with a clear set of technical and concrete areas of judicial and law enforcement cooperation, including enhanced exchanges and joint efforts. Both sides expressed their mutual interest in committing to these areas of cooperation."
The eighth EU-UAE Structural Dialogue was co-chaired by Saeed Saeed Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; Lucy Berger, EU Ambassador to the UAE; and Alexandra Gore-Schröder, Deputy Director-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.
During the dialogue, Saeed Al Hajeri emphasized the strong and enduring partnership between the UAE and the European Union, stressing the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation. Al Hajeri affirmed the UAE's unwavering commitment to deepening cooperation with the EU, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts to leverage shared expertise, enhance transparency, and build resilience in the global financial system.
Al Hajeri emphasized that the eighth EU-UAE Structured Dialogue on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing represents a milestone between the UAE and the EU, reflecting a shared commitment to combating money laundering and terrorist financing through enhanced cooperation, strategic initiatives, and a unified vision for financial security. He added, "This partnership aligns with the UAE's broader vision to contribute to finding practical solutions to global financial challenges, enhance international cooperation, and ensure the integrity of global financial systems."
During the dialogue, Alexandra Gore-Schröder welcomed the EU-UAE In exchanges with the UAE authorities on concrete ways to achieve progress in establishing a sustainable cooperation approach to combating money laundering and terrorist financing, she added that it is essential for the EU to strengthen judicial and law enforcement cooperation with the UAE on AML/CFT matters. The two sides' agreement on concrete areas for further cooperation in this area is a positive sign, and the EU looks forward to strengthening joint cooperation.
Representatives from the UAE included the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, the General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Committee, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Ministry of Justice. Participating EU representatives included the European Commission's Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets (DG FISMA), the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumer Affairs (DG JUST), the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), and the External Action Service (EEAS), as well as EU bodies and agencies such as Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, and Europol.