Abela accuses Grech of wanting Malta to be grey-listed
Prime Minister Robert Abela on Sunday lashed out at Opposition leader Bernard Grech accusing him of wanting Malta to be greylisted by anti-money laundering assessors.
In an interview on the Labour Party’s ONE radio, Abela weighed in on the evaluation of Malta’s anti-money laundering regime, describing it as a crucial and delicate moment for the country.
On Tuesday, evaluators from the Financial Action Task Force met in Paris and discussed whether Malta should be put on a list of countries that are not doing enough to stop major financial crime.
The country was given mixed reviews by experts and a plenary vote of FATF members will be held on Wednesday. Grey-listing could seriously impact the country’s economy.
It is understood that the US, Germany, and the UK are taking a tough position on Malta.
Last week, Grech wrote an open letter to the FATF, saying the PN, as an alternative government, would work with the FATF to restore the reputation which Malta has lost.
Abela on Sunday said he was dumbfounded by Grech’s letter as it seemed to imply that the Opposition wanted the country to end up on the grey list.
Countries on the grey list have to work with the FATF to...