The UAE and Spain are discussing enhancing cooperation in the field of combating financial crimes
Madrid, January 30 / WAM / The United Arab Emirates delegation, headed by the General Secretariat of the National Committee to Combat Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and the Financing of Arms Proliferation, discussed strengthening joint cooperation in the field of combating financial crimes with the Kingdom of Spain.
This week, the delegation held a series of high-level meetings with the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with Parliament in Spain, the Spanish Financial Information Unit (SEPBLAC), the National Police, the Civil Guard, the International Cooperation Unit in the Public Prosecution Office, in addition to the Special Anti-Narcotics Prosecution Office.
The discussions covered a number of priority files, including developing strategic frameworks to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, enhancing cooperation between financial information units, applying targeted financial sanctions, confronting trade-related money laundering, the movement of cash across borders, and asset recovery mechanisms.
The delegation held several meetings with officials from justice and law enforcement agencies, financial information units, public prosecutions, and asset recovery agencies, during which ways to develop operational cooperation, strengthen information exchange mechanisms, and raise the level of coordination in the areas of joint investigations, extradition of wanted persons, and asset recovery were discussed.
The two sides stressed the importance of this technical exchange in supporting international cooperation and deepening common understanding.
The discussions reflected the UAE’s readiness and continued commitment to the mutual assessment process within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The UAE side reviewed developments in the development of the national system to confront money laundering and combat the financing of terrorism, including legislative and regulatory updates, strengthening institutional frameworks, in addition to issuing the updated version of the national risk assessment and the relevant national strategy.
The state delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation.
The General Secretariat confirmed that this visit comes as an extension of the existing cooperation path between the UAE and the Kingdom of Spain, which includes the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement since 2010, with an agreement to continue technical exchanges, strengthen joint coordination channels, and launch a strategic dialogue in the field of combating money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism, and financing the proliferation of weapons, which contributes to supporting the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in combating financial crimes.
The visit coincided with high-level diplomatic meetings between the Emirati and Spanish sides, during which the two parties affirmed the strength of bilateral relations, welcomed the progress made in the negotiations related to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and stressed the importance of completing it and reaching results that serve the common interests of the two countries.
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