EU bigs reject endorsement of dirty money blacklist

By Bahattin Gonultas and Ata Ufuk Seker</p> <p>BRUSSELS/BERLIN (AA) – A group of European Union states are raising concerns about the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on the EU dirty money blacklist, according to news in European media.</p> <p>Weapon producing EU member countries including Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium and Bulgaria are trying to block a EU Commission’s plan to include Saudi Arabia on a blacklist of countries that pose money-laundering and terrorism financing threats due to concerns about the future of their arms export.</p> <p>The EU's executive commission adopted last month a draft list that adds Saudi Arabia, Panama and small Pacific and Caribbean islands to the list of 16 states that includes Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and North Korea.</p> <p>The EU Commission has reached the final stage in completing the updated EU dirty money blacklist.</p> <p>The latest version of the list is expected to be approved this week.</p> <p>Riyadh is lobbying against the listing and the U.S. is pressuring the EU to prevent the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on the list, according to reports.</p> <p>If Saudi Arabia is included in the list, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who receives open support of U.S. President Donald Trump, may be in a difficult position due to his activities in Yemen.