Holy See, US sign Memorandum of Understanding on financial enforcement
(Vatican Radio) The Financial Intelligence Authority of the Holy See and Vatican City
State signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its U.S. counterpart at the U.S. Department
of Treasury, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, on Tuesday in the US Capital.
Below, please find the full text of a statement regarding the Memorandum from the
Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ. Listen:
The
Financial Intelligence Authority of the Holy See and Vatican City State (Autorità
di Informazione Finanziaria - AIF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding [Tuesday]
in Washington, D.C., with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), its U.S.
counterpart at the U.S. Department of Treasury, to strengthen its efforts to fight
money laundering and terrorism financing globally. The Memorandum was signed by
René Brülhart, Director of AIF, and Jennifer Shasky Calvery, director of FinCEN, and
will foster bi-lateral cooperation in the exchange of financial information. «This
is a clear indication the Holy See and the Vatican City State take international responsibilities
to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism very seriously, and that
we are cooperating at the highest levels», said Brülhart. «The Vatican has shown that
it is a credible partner internationally and has made a clear commitment in the exchange
of information in this fight». AIF was established in 2010 and became operational
in April 2011. It is the competent authority of the Holy See and Vatican City State
for financial intelligence and for supervision and regulation in the prevention and
countering of money laundering and financing of terrorism. Rome, 7.V.13 Background
Notes: AIF is currently in discussions with various Financial Intelligence Units
(FIUs) of other countries and jurisdictions, including European countries, about entering
into Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation to fight
Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. Until now AIF has already signed MoUs
with the FIUs of Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, and now of the U.S., which plays a leading
role in combating money laundering. AIF is currently in discussions with more than
20 other FIUs, and expects several MoUs to be signed in the course of the year.