Brussels, 14 July 2022/OACPS/ACP-EU JPA: Experts from the European Union (EU) will be joined by speakers from the Membership of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in a parliamentary debate on the EU list of third countries concerning the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism at a virtual meeting on 14 July 2022, from 18:00 to 20:00 CEST.

Speakers include Ms Mairead McGuiness, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union; H.E. Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mauritius and Chairman of the OACPS Ministerial Contact Group on the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and on that of third countries concerning Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT); Mr Andrzej Halicki, MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and Mr Sutiawan Gunessee, Ambassador of Mauritius and Chair of the OACPS ambassadorial Contact Group on the EU non-cooperative tax jurisdictions and on that of third countries concerning AML/CFT.

Following the meeting, co-chaired by Hon. Carlos Zorrinho, Portugal and Hon. Clifford Andre, The Seychelles, there will be an exchange of views with members of the ACP-EU JPA.

The EU has, since 2016/2017, established a system of third country lists on international tax governance and AML/CFT. According to the European Commission (EC), these lists aim to promote good tax governance globally and protect the integrity of the EU financial system. The lists have evolved in line with periodic reviews. As a result of the latest reviews, 10 OACPS countries out of a total of 23 countries are considered as high-risk countries with deficiencies in their AML/CFT systems. As for Non-Cooperative Tax Jurisdictions, 5 OACPS countries out of a total of 9 countries are on the list.

The OACPS has engaged repeatedly with the EU with respect to the lists which represent significant reputational and economic consequences for the Member States listed. The Members of the OACPS maintain their commitment at the highest political level to combat illicit financing flows, including addressing the important issues of AML/CFT.