Bodi, Almeida and Ayuso call for Madrid to become the EU’s anti-money laundering headquarters

The central government, the Community of Madrid and the Spanish capital’s city council yesterday formed a coalition, unusual at this time of political frenzy, to try to convince the European Parliament that Madrid “is the best option”.“Establishing the new European Authority for the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing (AMLA). This movement is Spain’s new big heartbeat on the European board, with Madrid competing with eight other cities, although recent elections The appointment of Economic Vice President Nadia Calvino as the new President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) has cooled hopes that Spain will once again be given preferential treatment.

In any case, his successor at the head of the department was the Minister of Economy, Commerce and Trade, Carlos Bodi, who led the delegation that went to Brussels yesterday and which also included the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez. Almeida, who participated in the presentation before the MEPs, and Rocío Albert López-Ibor, Minister of Economy of the Community of Madrid, sent by regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso.

“We are the best choice to host the AMLA headquarters. Spain is an international benchmark in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing and Madrid is the ideal location for AMLA to brilliantly execute its mission. Our candidacy all And each criteria is different,” Boddy said in his speech.

The Spanish delegation highlighted that the country has “one of the most solid systems for the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing, recognized and supported internationally”, according to Seppblack, a financial intelligence unit and observer. There is “a context in Europe”. From there, he highlighted that Madrid, in addition to being one of the main European financial centres, has the advantages such as “location, transportation, communications and educational infrastructure and quality of life” to host the new anti-money laundering headquarters. There are attractions.

“There are many solid candidates and the choice is not easy,” the Economy Minister admitted before the European Parliament, but highlighted that in the case of Madrid “what the city offers is really unique”, and it was necessary to “beat candidate “, regardless of the weight of its competitors. Specifically, according to Europa Press, they are Rome (Italy), Vienna (Austria), Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia), Frankfurt (Germany), Dublin ( Ireland), Paris (France) and Brussels (Belgium).

In comparison, Madrid “is a serious, solid and resolute candidature and we have shown that it is the best headquarters to host the Anti-Money Laundering Authority,” defended the mayor of the Spanish capital, who apparently called for a “close” Thanks to the institutional cooperation between the city council, the community and the central government, despite the fact that the first two institutions are managed by the PP and the executive is in the hands of the coalition formed by the PSOE and Sumar. “The candidacy of Spain is the candidacy of unity,” agreed the corporal.

AMLA’s location puts hundreds of jobs and a relevant role on the community map at risk. The Authority will be an important tool to combat money laundering or terrorist financing, as a supervisor of funds flows, coordinator of national actions, with the capacity for direct intervention in case of failures and a key role in supporting the units. Analysis of suspicious transactions.

The decision now depends on the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, of which each member state is part, who will hold a joint vote on 22 February.