May 14 2018
On 14 May 2018, the Council adopted a directive strengthening EU rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
The directive sets out to close down criminal finance without hindering the normal functioning of payment systems. Amending directive 2015/849, it is part of an action plan launched after a spate of terrorist attacks in Europe in 2016.
“These new rules respond to the need for increased security in Europe by further removing the means available to terrorists”, said Vladislav Goranov, minister for finance of Bulgaria, which currently holds the Council presidency. “They will enable us to disrupt criminal networks without compromising fundamental rights and economic freedoms.”