Russia to fight money laundering

Russia President Vladimir Putin supports consolidation of the world community for fighting money laundering and sponsoring of terrorism. More so, he thinks Russia is to become the regional center for fighting both problems.

In an address to members of the international conference for fighting sponsorship of terrorism Vladimir Putin emphasized financial intelligence and special services of different countries must improve cooperation.

According to the Russian president, FAFT and its regional structures are the key structures in development and introduction of unified world standards in fighting money laundering. Vladimir Putin says, countries will be able to cooperate closer if Russia's initiative on setting up a new Eurasian FATF group is realized.

AK&M reports, the RF Government has already approved appropriation of $2 million to finance a Eurasian regional FATF group.

Russian Minister of Finance Alexey Kudrin told journalists after the international conference that $1 million would be appropriated by the end of the year and another million would be appropriated next year. If necessary, financing may be increased next year. The minister states these sums are quite feasible for the Russian budget.

Head of the RF Financial Monitoring Federal Service Viktor Zubkov said documents on setting up the Eurasian regional FATF group were to be developed during the conference. He added, the new organization would consult countries having no legislation on fighting money laundering in development of such laws. It will also support training of personnel and finance software introduction.

The former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and others belong to none of the international organizations fighting money laundering, but they are to become members of the Eurasian FATF group.