Answer given by Ms McGuinness on behalf of the European Commission
8.12.2020
The Commission is strongly committed to the fight against money laundering, which is essential to protect the security of our citizens and the integrity of our internal market. In this regard, on 7 May 2020 the Commission adopted an ambitious Action Plan for a comprehensive Union policy on preventing money laundering and terrorism financing[1], with the aim of addressing the fragmented and inconsistent implementation and application of EU anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing (‘AML/CFT’) rules. A key pillar of the action plan is to secure the rigorous and effective implementation of the current AML/CFT framework.
The Commission's aim is to present legislative proposals in early 2021. These proposals will include a greater harmonisation of rules on AML/CFT across the EU and the establishment of an EU-level supervisor.
The Commission notes that all Member States and the United Kingdom have declared full transposition of AMLD4[2]. As regards AMLD5[3], as of the date of drafting of this reply, 18 Member States[4] and the United Kingdom have declared full transposition; 8 Member States[5] have declared partial transposition; and a sole Member State[6], is still to notify its transposition measures. The Commission closely monitors the transposition of the AMLD and has launched infringement proceedings in case of breach of such obligations by Member States.
- [1] C(2020) 2800 final.
- [2] OJ L 141, 5.6.2015, p. 73‐117.
- [3] OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 43‐74.
- [4] Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Finland, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.
- [5] Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain.
- [6] Cyprus.