The Minister of Finance, Jürgen Ligi, and the Head of the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit, Matis Mäeker, delivered their welcome remarks.
The main topic of the FATF working group meeting is the progress made by selected jurisdictions in Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa (EMENA), which are currently on the FATF’s grey list. The evaluations made during the meeting of EMENA Joint Group and relevant country representatives will inform the FATF's decision on whether these countries should be removed from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring or if further measures are required.
The EMENA Joint Group comprises representatives from multiple countries and various sectors, including finance, law, and law enforcement.
Although Estonia is not a member of FATF, established in 1989, it contributes to several FATF working groups. “Such cooperation and mutual evaluations enhance our ability to stay informed about emerging money laundering and terrorist financing risks and typologies, and to effectively detect and prevent them,” said Deputy Head of the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit Laura Aus.
Other FATF Joint Groups take place around the world each year, covering Africa, the Asia/Pacific and the Americas. These crucial meetings ensure the FATF’s grey and black listing processes are collaborative, and informed by views from all corners of the globe.
In the photos: Minister of Finance, Head of Estonian FIU; and representatives of FATF, and the Estonian FIU.
