Financial Intelligence Unit of the Holy See sign a MoU with Italian counterpart
Vatican, July 29, 2013: L’Autorità Informazione Finanziaria (AIF), the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Holy See and Vatican City State, signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with its Italian counterpart, the Unità di Informazione Finanziaria (UIF) of the Bank
of Italy, on July 26. The Memorandum was signed in Rome by Cardinal Attilio Nicora,
President of AIF, and Dr. Claudio Clemente, director of UIF.
A Memorandum of
Understanding is standard practice and formalizes the cooperation and exchange of
financial information to fight money laundering and terrorist financing across borders
between the competent authorities of both countries. It is based on the model Memorandum
of Understanding prepared by the Egmont Group, the global organization of national
Financial Intelligence Units, and contains clauses on reciprocity, permitted uses
of information and confidentiality.
“The Holy See and the Vatican City State
take international responsibilities concerning Anti-Money Laundering and the Financing
of Terrorism very seriously, and Italy is an especially important partner for us,”
said AIF director Rene’ Bruelhart. “We look forward to continuing our work with the
Italian Authorities in a constructive and fruitful manner. The Memorandum of Understanding
is a clear commitment to strengthen our bilateral relationship and will facilitate
the our joint efforts and fight against money laundering.”
AIF became a member
of the Egmont Group in July of this year and over the last several months signed MOUs
with the Financial Intelligence Units of the United States, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia
and the Netherlands. More are expected to be signed in the course of this year.
AIF
is the competent authority of the Holy See/Vatican City State to fight money laundering
and financing of terrorism. It was established on Dec. 30, 2010.