EU states block blacklisting Saudi, Panama over dirty money

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WORLD NEWS MARCH 7, 2019 / 5:45 AM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

EU states block blacklisting Saudi, Panama over dirty money

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The 28 member states of the European Union all backed a decision on Thursday to reject a proposal from the EU executive to add Saudi Arabia to a blacklist of countries suspected of being lax on terrorist financing and money laundering.

The decision comes after pressure from Riyadh and other listed jurisdictions not to be blacklisted.

EU states said in a statement the unanimous decision was taken because the European Commission’s proposed list was not established in a transparent process that encouraged countries to take action while also respected their right to be heard.

The decision will force the European Commission to prepare a new list.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-saudi-moneylaundering/eu-states-block-blacklisting-saudi-panama-over-dirty-money-idUSKCN1QO15M

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Disappointing.