EU Removes UAE From 'High-Risk' Money-Laundering List, Adds Lebanon

The EU on Tuesday announced the removal of the UAE from its money-laundering "high-risk" list but added Lebanon alongside nine other jurisdictions.

The European Commission said it added Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela, along with Lebanon, to the list of countries subject to extra monitoring of their money laundering controls.

In addition to the UAE, it removed Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal and Uganda.

The moves come after a money-laundering watchdog said in February it had removed the Philippines from its list of countries that face increased monitoring, while adding Laos and Nepal.

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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a Paris-based organisation that reviews efforts by more than 200 countries and jurisdictions to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, compiles a "grey list" of nations that are subject to increased monitoring of financial transactions.

Monaco has been included on the FATF list since mid-2024, along with EU member states Bulgaria and Croatia.

"The commission has now presented an update to the EU list which reiterates our strong commitment to aligning with international standards, particularly those set by the FATF," the EU's commissioner for financial services, Maria Luis Albuquerque, said.

The EU list will now be scrutinised by the European Parliament and member states and will enter into force within one month if there are no objections, the commission said.

In a statement, Monaco's government said it had "taken note of this expected update, which would lead to Monaco being placed on the EU's list, unless the European Parliament or the Council of the EU decides otherwise".

It also stressed its commitment to take the necessary steps to be removed from the FATF's grey list "in the short term".

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