PACE urges international action against money-laundering ‘laundromats’
PACE has expressed its deep concern at the extent of money laundering in Council of Europe member States, notably the recent examples known as the “Global Laundromat”, the “Azerbaijani Laundromat” and the “Troika Laundromat”, and has urged improved national mechanisms and international co-operation to combat it.
In a resolution based on a report by Mart van de Ven (Netherlands, ALDE), the Assembly said these “laundromats” involved large sums of money from wealthy businessmen, organised criminals and high officials. They exploited various weaknesses across multiple jurisdictions, including shell companies, often based in the United Kingdom or its Overseas Territories, and poorly regulated banks, notably in the Baltics.
The Global Laundromat involved corrupt Moldovan judges, the parliamentarians said, while the Troika Laundromat involved people close to the heart of state power and the Azerbaijani Laundromat contributed to corruptive activities within the Parliamentary Assembly itself. None has been adequately investigated by national authorities.
The Assembly makes a series of recommendations to member States, to the European Union and to the Committee of Ministers intended to reinforce the international fight against money laundering, organised crime and corruption.
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Young European Ambassadors start activities in Strasbourg ahead of major European Youth Event
On the eve of EYE2023, the fifth edition of the ‘European Youth Event’ that brings together young people from Europe and across the world, Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from across the continent have gathered in Strasbourg for three days packed with activities.
Their week in Strasbourg will begin with a visit to the Council of Europe today. Activities at the Palais de l’Europe include an overview of EU-Council of Europe cooperation and discussions with high-level officials, such as the Ambassador of the EU to the Council of Europe Vesna Batistić Kos. In the afternoon, YEAs will have the opportunity to take part in thematic workshops on anti-discrimination (No Hate), freedom of expression, and violence against women.
Elsie Haldane, a Young European Ambassador from the UK, is looking forward to this rare opportunity to learn more about the Council of Europe’s work.
“Having the opportunity to visit an Institution that connects YEAs’ values of upholding democracy, rule of law and human rights will be an invaluable experience. I hope that, as Young European Ambassadors, we will have more insights into the way in which the Council of Europe takes action to deliver its goals and how young people can contribute,” said Elsie.
The day will conclude with remarks from Antje Rothemund, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, and Claus Neukirch, Director of Programme Coordination, along with representatives from the European Commission’s DG NEAR. The YEAs will meet with EU officials and Ambassadors at the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe for an evening reception.
The Young European Ambassadors will stay in Strasbourg throughout the European Youth Event with a packed agenda of workshops and networking events which aim to inform young Europeans about the countries of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood.
The EYE (European Youth Event) brings together at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and online thousands of young people from all over the European Union and the world, to share and shape their ideas on the future of Europe. EYE2023 will take place on 9 and 10 June. You can also take part in the EYE2023 online.
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EU4Climate conducts Green Market Festival in Tbilisi
The European Union and UNDP, as part of the EU4Climate programme, supported the Green Market Festival held in Tbilisi on 3-4 June.
The Festival was organised by the ‘Vintylator’ social enterprise and the ‘Betterfly” advertising company in collaboration with a range of contributors.
The Green Market Festival provided a platform for civil society, the private sector, youth and activists to promote green living, learn from each other’s experiences and explore partnership opportunities.
Educational and recreational activities included an eco-company fair, an educational corner for children and an exhibition of products made from recycled materials.
The EU4Climate programme is a joint venture of the EU and UNDP to support Eastern Partnership countries in fulfilling their commitments to the Paris Agreement, improving climate policies and legislation, and reducing the impact of climate change on people’s lives.
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Committee for European Union of the German Bundestag visits Tbilisi
A delegation from the committee for European Union affairs of the German Bundestag will visit Georgia from May 2nd to 5th, 2023. Members of the delegation are: Christian Petry (SPD, Head of delegation), Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU/CSU), Michael Sacher (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN), Thomas Hacker (FDP) and Dr. Harald Weyel (AfD).
During the visit, meetings are planned with the Minister of Justice, H.E. Rati Bregadze, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, H.E. Levan Davitashvili, and Deputy Foreign Minister, H.E. Teimuraz Janjalia.
Furthermore, the delegation will hold talks with the Speaker of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili and the chairmen of several committees of the Georgian Parliament.
The program is completed by exchanges with representatives of civil society, the media, business and cultural institutions.
As Georgia submitted an application for membership to the European Union in March 2022 and has had the prospect of joining the EU since June 2022, the talks will concern necessary reforms and the structure of relations and cooperation between Georgia and the EU.
Against the background of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the focus will also be on coordinating questions of foreign and security policy, as well as on the regional effects of the war and geopolitical aspects.
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The EU Foreign Affairs Council took place on 24 April, with the situation in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova as priority topics.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the EU ministers via video conference, and briefed them about the latest developments on the ground and Ukraine’s military priorities and needs, especially in terms of ammunition and missiles.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell highlighted that in total the EU and its member states have already facilitated the delivery to Ukraine of over €13 billion in military support.
He also updated ministers on EU military support to Ukraine in the context of the three-track plan. On track one, the EU adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility worth €1 billion to address Ukraine’s most immediate needs. EU member states are also finalising work on track two, to facilitate joint procurement. Lastly, the European Commission will soon present concrete proposals on how to ramp up the European defence production capacity under track three.
Ministers were also informed about the activities of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which has already exceeded its initial target by training over 16,000 Ukrainian soldiers. The EU aims to train a total of 30,000 soldiers by the end of 2023.
EU Foreign Ministers also held an informal exchange with the Georgian Foreign Minister, Ilia Darchiashvili, and confirmed that Georgia has made significant progress in many key reforms. They also highlighted that rule of law, human rights, media, civil society and independent state institutions are important elements for each country aspiring to join the EU.
Concerning Moldova, the Foreign Affairs Council established a new civilian EU CSDP partnership mission (EUPM Moldova), reached a broad agreement on a new framework for sanctions against those who destabilise the country, and on allocating further €40 million coming from the European Peace Facility to support Moldova’s defence capabilities.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, together with a delegation, has set out on a visit to Belgium.
Within the scope of the visit, Irakli Garibashvili will hold high-level bilateral meetings at both NATO and the EU.Led by the Prime Minister, the Georgian delegation consists of Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Head of the Government Administration Revaz Javelidze.Press Service of the Government Administration
