The head of the UN health agency Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has spoken out against the “effective destruction” of a Gaza hospital in the north by Israeli forces over the weekend, leading to the deaths of eight patients including a nine-year-old child.
Kamal Adwan Hospital was raided by the Israeli military over four days last week and the World Health Organization (WHO) said that many health workers were reportedly detained.
“Gaza’s health system was already on its knees and the loss of another even minimally functioning hospital is a severe blow,” Tedros wrote on social platform X.
Less than a third of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are at least partially functional, including only one in the enclave’s north.
“Attacks on hospitals, health personnel and patients must end. Ceasefire NOW,” Tedros insisted.
The WHO chief said that many patients at Kamal Adwan had to self-evacuate “at great risk to their health and safety” while ambulances were unable to reach the facility.
UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA said in an update that on Saturday Israeli forces withdrew from the hospital and according to media reports “an Israeli military bulldozer flattened the tents of a number of internally displaced persons outside the hospital, killing and wounding an unconfirmed number of people”.
Tedros said on X that WHO is “extremely concerned” for the well-being of those displaced people.
According to OCHA the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah has called for an investigation into the incident. OCHA also quoted the Israeli army as saying that it had detained 90 people as part of the operation and “found weapons and munitions inside the hospital”.
Communications blackout
Due to a telecommunications and internet blackout in Gaza which started last Thursday and continued into the weekend, OCHA stressed that its latest update on the humanitarian situation in the Strip provided only “limited” information from the past 24 hours.
Gaza’s health authorities have not updated their casualty numbers since the start of the blackout, which at that point stood at 18,787 fatalities and over 50,000 people injured since 7 October.
The UN Office reported continuing “heavy Israeli bombardments” across the Strip over the weekend in particular in Khan Younis in the south and in several areas of Gaza city in the north.
Intense fighting raged between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in Khan Younis and Rafah, as well as continued firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups into Israel, OCHA said.
The humanitarian situation in the enclave remains desperate as most of the population is displaced, crowded into a small area in the south, facing dire sanitary conditions and lacking food and water.
Hopes for a scale-up of aid deliveries saw a boost with the announcement on Friday of the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing between Israel and Gaza, which was welcomed by the aid community.
The crossing reportedly opened on Sunday for the first time since 7 October. Up until this moment only the Rafah border crossing in the south had been open since deliveries resumed on 21 October.
“The fast implementation of this agreement will increase the flow of aid,” UN emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths, who heads OCHA, said in reaction to the development, “but what the people in Gaza need most is an end to this war”.
Children from the Vatican-run pediatric clinic sang several songs for the Holy Father
Pope Francis turned 87 today, greeted by children who helped him blow out the candle on a celebratory white cake, Reuters reported. Children from the Vatican-run pediatric clinic sang several songs to the Holy Father and presented him with a bouquet of sunflowers.
Later, in a traditional Christmas season event during his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square, he blessed small figurines of the baby Jesus held by children who would then place them in their homes.
“Happy birthday” (Buon Compleanno in Italian), shouted the dozens of small children in the square, holding placards with the same greeting.
Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. On March 13, 2013, the cardinals elected him the first pope from Latin America.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also greeted the Holy Father with a post on the X platform, until recently Twitter, and thanked him for his “strong commitment to peace” around the world.
Illustrative Photo by Javon Swaby: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-beige-concrete-building-during-nighttime-2762485/
The Iranian oppressive regime barred Mahsa Amini’s family from traveling to France to receive her prestigious Sakharov Prize, awarded posthumously. Following this, Fulvio Martusciello, head of the Forza Italia delegation and MEP for the EPP group, posed questions before the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, concerning the plight of women and minorities in Iran and called on him to take a stand on this pressing issue.
Mahsa Amini, who was killed by the Iranian regime, was of Kurdish descent, and there are many other non-Persian minorities in the country such as Azerbaijanis, Arabs, Baluchis and Turks. Martusciello emphasized that the Azerbaijani population, which is the largest minority in the country, is brutally oppressed by the Iranian regime. The so-called southern Azerbaijanis, who number approximately 30 million in Iran, are deprived of basic rights. Even the exact number of Azerbaijanis living in Iran is unknown, as the authorities consider this information too sensitive.
The Persian-controlled Iranian administration seeks to eradicate the culture and sense of self-determination of the Azerbaijani people, turning them into “Persians”. Simply put, the regime does not recognize their children as citizens of Azerbaijani origin.
The very essence of the national identity and culture of the Azerbaijani people is not allowed to exist. Their language has never been recognized as an official language, it is not used in official correspondence, and the government forbids its use, study and teaching.
The poverty rate among Azerbaijanis in Iran is one of the highest. They are underrepresented in key positions. They are not allowed to form their own ideological groups and associations.
EU institutions have been informed about the human rights situation thanks to several significant associations of southern Azerbaijanis and prominent media organizations. They continually send reports about human rights violations by the IRGC against Azerbaijani activists demanding equal rights. The Iranian regime imprisoned Hamid Yeganapur from Maragha, Arash Johari from Mughan, Peyman Ibrahimi from Tabriz, Alirza Ramezani from Qazvin and many other Azerbaijani activists
Members of the EU Parliament called on Mr. Borrell personally, as well as the EU Parliament as a whole to take a tougher stance against Tehran’s violations. They demanded an immediate end to social, ethnic, economic and environmental discrimination against Azerbaijanis and other minorities.
Francis has revealed he is working with the Vatican’s ceremonial leader to pardon the complex and proverbially long papal funeral rites
Pope Francis, who eschews much of the pomp and privilege of the Vatican, has decided to relax significantly the elaborate rites of a papal funeral. Under the entrepreneurial steps, Francis would be the first pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, Reuters reported.
Francis, who turned 87 on Sunday, revealed his funeral plans in an interview with Mexican TV station En Plus on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In the interview, recorded before the pope celebrated mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis appeared recovered from the bronchitis he suffered recently. Prior to the interview with the journalist, the pope laughs as he discusses various topics, including his health, migration, and his relationship with his predecessor, Benedict X. He also talked about his plans to travel abroad. The head of the Roman Catholic Church says he hopes to make three trips throughout the year – to Polynesia, Belgium and his first visit to his native Argentina since he was elected pope in 2013.
Francis revealed that he is working with the Vatican’s ceremonial leader to pardon the elaborate and proverbially long papal funeral rites that were used for his predecessors.
He also stated that because of his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, he decided to be buried in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where he traditionally goes to pray before and after each of his overseas trips.
For more than 100 years, the mortal remains of popes have been laid to rest in the crypt of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Reuters notes.
Photo by Kai Pilger: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-building-and-people-standing-near-water-fountain-1243538/
The head of the Mediterranean Association of Hoteliers and Tour Operators (AKTOB) Kaan Cavaloglu motivated the need for this initiative with the rising costs against the background of the complex economic situation in Turkey
Representatives of the Turkish tourism industry propose to review the “all inclusive” system in some hotels. In such cases, it is envisaged that tourists will be able to choose which food and drinks they will pay for, writes the Turkish newspaper “Tourism Gazetesi”.
In general, in many places the “all inclusive” system will remain.
The head of the Mediterranean Association of Hoteliers and Tour Operators (AKTOB) Kaan Cavaloglu motivated the need for this initiative with the rising costs against the background of the complex economic situation in Turkey, as well as with the creation of new types of services with lower prices for tourists.
The proposed model, tentatively called “pay as much as you use”, is primarily aimed at the non-alcoholic version of “all inclusive”.
In Turkey, there are hotels with a non-alcoholic “all inclusive” system, and in recent years many such packages have been sold, including on the Russian market. This type of package is mainly oriented towards family vacations.
According to tour operators, vacations in Turkey with a non-alcoholic version of the “all inclusive” system are 7-10 percent cheaper than usual. It is not yet clear how much more economical the pay-as-you-use format will be compared to traditional packages.
Illustrative Photo by LADY LUCK: https://www.pexels.com/photo/eftalia-aqua-resort-in-turkey-14360313/
You come home after a long day at work and your dog greets you at the door – tail wagging and sloppy kisses. You smile, grateful for this kind welcome. And then your gaze goes slightly to the sides. To the pillows you bought last week, which are now strewn across the floor with stuffing everywhere… Next to them rest your new sneakers, also torn, and your favorite sweater, which has clearly been used as your dog’s bed, is also among the remains.
If this tragic scene sounds familiar to you, then we hasten to reassure you – you are not alone! Many dog owners have promptly parted with some of their favorite possessions this way. Because a lot of pets tend to destroy things when they are alone. But why do they do it? The reason varies depending on the animal’s needs and temperament, but loneliness and boredom stand out as the most common motivating factors.
The root of behavior
According to Dr. Gregory Burns, a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, dogs have the emotional and intellectual capacity of a small child. They are capable of affection and affection, but it is quite likely that they do not understand that when you leave the house, you will soon be back. Oppressed and stressed, they act by tearing and biting everything within their reach. Of course, not all quadrupeds react this way. That’s why veterinarians still aren’t sure why some pets tolerate loneliness better than others. Statistics show that adopted dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than those who have been with their owners since they were puppies. Separation anxiety usually occurs after changes in a dog’s usual routine and lifestyle, such as a new job that requires you to stay out of your home late.
It is also possible that your dog is simply bored. All four-legged friends, even the smaller breeds, need regular physical and mental activity. Our pets feel best when they have a regular schedule that includes a variety of games, exercise and socialization. This, of course, varies by breed. But in any case, a dog that hasn’t had enough of these things may try to get what it needs in less constructive ways.
Behavioral encouragement
The dog has no way of telling you if it’s feeling bored or anxious, so it’s your job as its owner to try to understand what it’s trying to show you through its behavior. If you think his schedule needs more activity, try this first. Don’t forget to direct him to the toys while you’re there, too, so he can figure them out on his own when you’re gone.
Sometimes you may think you’ve done everything you can to keep your dog from exhibiting destructive behavior in your absence. You took him for a long walk, you paid attention to playing and cuddling, to eating and treats… So far so good! But as soon as you grab your keys, your pet seems on command to become nervous. Professional dog trainer Karin Lyles of Toronto shared with PetMD that sometimes dogs look for signs that their owners are about to leave them, and they stress them out.
Sometimes something as simple as picking up the keys or putting on your shoes in the other room can break the connection the animal is making and prevent it from associating these actions with you leaving.
Even if you’re sure you know what’s causing your pet to destroy things in your absence, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your veterinarian. The specialist’s professional experience will help you understand if the animal’s behavior shows the beginnings of separation anxiety, restlessness or boredom.
Whatever the problem may be, remember that fixing it will take time. And during this process, you should not forget that your pet does not destroy your favorite things maliciously. It is trying to express its emotional state – be it boredom or anxiety, neither of which will go away if you punish it afterwards.
Redirect him, give him alternatives, but try not to yell or try to make him feel bad.
Photo by nishizuka: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-chihuahua-485294/
One of the highlights of the Together for Europe meeting in Timişoara (Romania, 16-19 November 2023) was a workshop on peace. It gave the floor to witnesses from countries at war, such as Ukraine and the Holy Land. All of them have friends and family in these regions.
Knowing people personally from regions in conflict changes our perception. Do you have friends or relatives in these regions? If so, we can no longer talk about these conflicts in theoretical terms because people are involved. Another question: are you involved in a mutual aid project in conflict zones? Nicole Grochowina, from the Protestant community of Selbitz in Germany, asked participants to answer these questions at the beginning of the workshop.
Educating for peace and dialogue
Donatella, an Italian living in Ukraine who spent 24 years in Russia in a Focolare community, says: “This war is an open wound. There’s a lot of suffering all around me. The only answer I can find is to look at Jesus crucified. His cry gives me meaning; his pain is a passage. Then I understood that love is stronger than pain. That helps me not to withdraw into myself. So often, we feel powerless. All we can do is listen and offer a little hope and a smile. We need to create space within ourselves to listen deeply and bring the pain into our own hearts so that we can pray”.
Another participant in this round table was born in Moscow and lived there for 30 years. Her mother is Russian and her father Ukrainian. She has friends in both Russia and Ukraine. Nobody believed that such a war would be possible and that Kyiv would be bombed! She has made herself available to take in refugees. However, she is not comfortable with the rhetoric of those who reject all Russians. She suffers because she is torn between the two parties.
Margaret Karram, the president of the Focolare movement – an Israeli of Palestinian origin – says three very topical words for her: “fraternity, peace and unity”. The time has come to highlight our duties because it’s not enough to talk about a just peace, we must educate people for peace and dialogue.
Born in Haifa, where Jews and Palestinians live together, she studied in a Catholic environment with a Muslim presence. In Haifa, her neighbours were Jewish. Her faith enabled her to overcome discrimination.
Then she lived in Jerusalem, in a city where many divisions separate people. She was shocked by this and worked to bring them together. Later, she studied Judaism in the USA. Back home, she became involved in several interfaith initiatives, particularly for children. She discovered that so much is common to all three religions.
Philip McDonagh, Director of the European Union’s Centre for Religions and Values, points out that Article 17 of the EU Charter calls for dialogue to be stepped up. Regarding territorial claims, he is convinced that time is more important than space, and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The diplomacy of “theological virtues”
Sylvester Gaberscek is a former Secretary of State in Slovenia’s Ministry of Culture. A bridge builder between very different parties, he had relations with politicians from all sides. He discovered that it is possible to work together for the common good despite hatred. He practised what he calls “a diplomacy of faith, hope and love”.
Called to Kosovo and Serbia to provide training in dialogue, he discovered that “the only thing I had to do was listen and understand everyone. “People were transformed by it”.
Édouard Heger, former President and Prime Minister of Slovakia, wonders how to get out of one war and prevent the next. That is the central question. He believes that at the root of every war, there is always a lack of love and reconciliation.
The vocation of Christians is to be people of reconciliation. They must advise political leaders with a view to reconciliation. But reconciliation also depends on us, being courageous and speaking out with love. People want this message.
Bishop Christian Krause, former President of the Lutheran World Federation, notes that a friend can quickly turn into an enemy. Only love for Jesus can overcome this pain. Indeed, his beatitudes are a beacon of light. The two politicians above had the courage to follow Jesus by living them.
In East Germany, before the fall of the Wall, the Church was a place of freedom. A miracle from God took place. Yes, it is worth hoping in God and making it public. The doors of the Churches must remain open in these times of transformation. And for Christians to be artisans of reconciliation.
“We are a minority, but a creative one”, he says. Without a pact of mutual love, we cannot be sure that Jesus is in our midst. But if he is, he is the one who builds the house. And the miracle of reconciliation will be accomplished… in Europe and throughout the world!
Photo: From left to right, Edouard Heger, Margaret Karram, Sylvester Gaberscek and S. Nicole Grochowina
Vote on 19 December will decide the future of alternative medicine in France.
Next week in France, the parliament will decide whether or not to support a law that grants authorities the power to criminalise those who criticise or avoid conventional medical practices deemed ‘essential’, or use or promote natural or alternative medicines instead. Macron’s government plans to implement these powers by amending existing French law on sectarian drift which will be discussed and voted on by the French Parliament next Tuesday, 19 December.
If passed, individuals or organisations prosecuted under the new law will face jail sentences of between 1 and 3 years, and fines of between 15,000 and 45,000 euros.
The proposed change in law comes by way of amendments to a long-standing law intended to protect people from sectarian abuses, including terrorism and female genital mutilation.
It has been motivated by concerns expressed by French medical bodies and the government agency tasked with fighting so-called sectarian aberrations, the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Drifts, Miviludes.
The Explanatory Memorandum for the proposed amendments asserts: “The [covid-19] health crisis provided an ideal breeding ground for these new sectarian excesses. New forms of “gurus” or self-proclaimed thought leaders act online, taking advantage of the vitality of social networks to unite real communities around them.”
Robert Verkerk PhD, founder, executive and scientific director of the Alliance for Natural Health International, said that the bill, No. 111 (2023-2034) of the French Penal Code “represents probably the most blatant legal attack on the practice of alternative and natural medicine anywhere in the world.” He continued, “If passed into law, those who speak out about the dangers of pharmaceuticals or vaccines and use alternatives will be declared sectarian deviants and will be turned into criminals.”
Legal experts suggest the proposed law would violate France’s Declaration of Human and Civic Rights of 1789, in which article 11 protects the right to freedom of expression. It would also infringe a rash of international conventions, including the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 2, 3, 7, 8, 12 and 18-20), the European Convention of Human Rights (Articles 9-11), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (Articles 6, 7 and 10-13), the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (1997) (Articles 2-6 and 10), and the Helsinki Final Act (1975) (Sections II and VII).
Professor Christian Perronne MD PhD, a former member of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE) of the WHO Regional Office, who was himself fully exonerated of all charges made by French medical bodies who challenged him when he criticised the government’s health policies during the covid pandemic, expressed his grave concerns for the bill.
In a recent article that he published on the BonSens association’s website, he said, “This law would make it possible to violently suppress what little freedom of expression remains in our beautiful, battered country. This would be a crime against science which can only progress through debate of ideas….This law would establish a de facto obligation to receive pharmaceutical substances, even experimental ones, against one’s will….This would be a violation of international conventions.”
French former presidential candidate, current member of parliament and president of the Debout la France party, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, stated in a 42 minute video on the subject that, if the law is passed, “medical freedom in France is finished” and it will “call into question” the Hippocratic Oath.
Senator Alain Houpert has proposed the deletion of Article 4, the key amendment that targets unconventional health practices.
While breaching a clutch of international conventions, the new bill appears to pre-empt proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) that aim to cede control over “public health emergencies”, and responses to threats of such emergencies, from individual nations to the World Health Organisation. These amendments will be voted on at the 77th World Health Assembly next May.
The Alliance for Natural Health is urging French citizens, parliamentarians and those among the international community who are respectful of human rights and medical ethics to lobby the French parliament with the aim, at least, of ensuring Senator Houpert’s amendment to block Article 4 is supported.
To do otherwise would be a travesty to both human rights and medical ethics and will create even further sectarian divisions in French society.
Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) Europe is the European, Netherlands-based, non-profit office linked to the ANH International. ANH International is an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 2002 in the UK by acclaimed sustainability scientist, Robert Verkerk PhD. Its mission is to promote and protect natural, sustainable and regenerative approaches to health optimisation worldwide, through the application of good science and good law.
We work to help health systems to transition from their current pre-occupation with the management of ‘downstream’ diseases to ‘upstream’ approaches that maintain and regenerate health. ANH International advocates for properly informed consent, the right for citizen choice in healthcare and the right to practise a diverse range of modalities incorporating natural health. It supports individual empowerment, medical autonomy, the rule of law, and respect for, and the protection of, the natural environment.
We seek to increase the adoption of clinically validated, natural and sustainable approaches, taking into account cultural and individual needs and choices. The threat of legal and scientific uncertainty, as well as regulatory and corporate pressure, continues to limit freedom of choice in the field of natural health.
As an international alliance, we collaborate with a diverse cross-section of natural and environmental interests around the world, including scientists, lawyers, medical doctors, other health professionals, politicians, companies and, above all, the public.
On December 1, Robin Brooks, chief economist and managing director of the Institute of International Finance, asked, “You have to wonder what’s going on in the EU. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a big threat to everything the EU stands for. But then there are many examples like this: EU exports to Armenia are up 200% since the invasion. This stuff goes to Russia and helps Putin. What is Brussels doing?”
Coincidentally, just one day earlier, on November 30, The Economist stated that “Putin seems to be winning the war in Ukraine—for now.” This article highlighted the West’s failure to implement effective sanctions against Russia and named a few countries that were lending a helping hand to their apparent ally: Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iran, and North Korea.
Not too bothered by Western sanctions, Russia has successfully circumvented them by obtaining drones from Iran, ammunition from North Korea, and various goods through Turkey and Kazakhstan. The list seems too short, and it does not include aforementioned Armenia. This country, according to multiple sources, is one of Russia’s key partners in procuring various goods from the EU and East Asia as of February 2022.
For example, Armenia does not produce cars, but as the Financial Times noted in July 2023, car exports from Armenia to Russia have skyrocketed from $800,000 in January 2022 to just over $180 million in the same month of 2023.
But it is not just cars: microchips, smartphones and dozens of other goods enter Russia via Armenia. A report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development notes that “new supply chains through Armenia […] were established within days of the sanctions, and it took several months to expand them”. A joint statement by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Treasury categorized Armenia as a “third-party intermediaries or transshipment points to evade Russian- and Belarusian-related sanctions and export controls.”
It is important to note that about 40 percent of Armenia’s exports go to Russia, with much of the trade consisting of re-exports of Western goods that Moscow cannot obtain directly. According to Armenia’s state statistics agency, trade between Armenia and Russia nearly doubled in 2022, reaching $5.3 billion. Armenia’s exports to Russia nearly tripled, surging from $850 million in 2021 to $2.4 billion in 2022 and $2.8 billion in 2023. Imports from Russia increased by 151 percent to $2.87 billion. Total trade for January-August 2023 exceeded $4.16 billion., Armenian exports to Russia totaled $2.3 billion during this period, surpassing imports for the first time, which totaled $1.86 billion.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Armenia was assisting the Russian Federation not only in the import of civilian goods, but also in the procurement of military equipment.
It published detailed information about the involvement of an Armenian company in the purchase of foreign equipment for the Russian military industry. The company, identified as Aurora Group, allegedly purchased sensitive electronic components from Western suppliers and then re-exported them to Russia in violation of export control restrictions.
According to Bloomberg, there is evidence of European equipment components being shipped through Armenia for use in Russian military production.
The report cites documents on the shipments and interviews with industry experts as evidence that Armenia plays a key role in helping Russia evade sanctions and maintain its military capabilities.
The Telegraph stated that economic growth in Armenia had reached an impossible 13 percent in 2022, making it a candidate for the third fastest-growing economy in the world.
The newspaper also published a report by the German Centre for the South Caucasus, which “revealed that exports from Germany to Armenia rose from €178 million to €505 million in 2022. That’s from just one EU country. Exports from Armenia to the EU in the same twelve months doubled from €753 million to €1.3 billion.
With a population of barely three million and a GDP per capita of less than a tenth of the average Briton, these are impossible numbers. But they are real. What is clear is that imports to and exports from Russia — which are tariff and duty-free between all EAEU countries, are being near-seamlessly diverted to the outside world via their satellite states”.
According to the Jamestown Foundation, “a significant increase in Armenia’s foreign trade turnover without any serious economic basis domestically, especially the remarkable increase in exports to Russia, as well as the list of products primarily traded, give reason to think that these dynamics are artificial and that Armenia is directly involved in re-exporting sanctioned products to Russia.
Moreover, according to the US Bureau of Industry and Security, Armenia increased the import of microchips and processors from the US by 515% and from the European Union by 212%—then reportedly exported 97% of those products to Russia”.
According to the Polish magazine New Eastern Europe, Yerevan is helping Moscow circumvent EU, US, and UK sanctions by facilitating the transit of Iranian drones and missiles.
The magazine cites operational data on flights from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport, where Soviet Ilyushin-76MD aircraft allegedly transported Iranian drones to Russia. Iran Air Cargo, the company sanctioned by the US, was observed operating flights through Yerevan airport to and from Moscow, along with other Iranian entities implicated in delivering Iranian drones to Russia through Armenian airports.
According to Ukrainian sources, Armenia is actively using the sea route connecting the ports of Batumi (Georgia) and Novorossiysk (Russia) to re-export sanctioned goods to the Russian Federation. Thus, the Armenian Shipping Company is responsible for the weekly transportation of 600 containers along the Batumi-Novorossiysk sea route.
Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš also commented on Armenia’s growing role in exporting sanctioned Western equipment and technology to Russia.
However, Yerevan’s moves in this game are not limited to technology transfers. Kariņš pointed out that there were two ways to deal with this: talk Armenia out of it or “look for legislation across Europe, to make sure that we criminalise the sanction avoidance. Close the loopholes!”, – he demanded. Sanctions do work, the problem is that they need to be enforced on those who help Russia avoid them.
Yesterday, the Council and the Parliament reached a provisional agreement on creating a new European authority anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AMLA) – the centrepiece of the anti-money laundering package, which aims to protect EU citizens and the EU’s financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing.
AMLA will have direct and indirect supervisory powers over high-risk obliged entities in the financial sector. This agreement leaves out a decision on the location of the agency’s seat, a matter that continues to be discussed on a separate track.
Given the cross-border nature of financial crime, the new authority will boost the efficiency of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, by creating an integrated mechanism with national supervisors to ensure obliged entities comply with AML/CFT-related obligations in the financial sector. AMLA will also have a supporting role with respect to non-financial sectors, and coordinate financial intelligence units in member states.
In addition to supervisory powers and in order to ensure compliance, in cases of serious, systematic or repeated breaches of directly applicable requirements, the Authority will impose pecuniary sanctions on the selected obliged entities.
Supervisory powers
The provisional agreement adds powers to AMLA to directly supervise certain types of credit and financial institutions, including crypto asset service providers, if they are considered high-risk or operate across borders.
AMLA will carry out a selection of credit and financial institutions that represent a high risk in several member states. The selected obliged entities will be supervised by joint supervisory teams led by AMLA that will among other things carry out assessments and inspections. The agreement entrusts the authority to supervise up to 40 groups and entities in the first selection process.
For non-selected obliged entities, AML/CFT supervision would remain primarily at national level.
For the non-financial sector, AMLA will have a supporting role, carrying out reviews and investigating possible breaches in the application of the AML/CFT framework. AMLA will have the power to issue non-binding recommendations. National supervisors will be able to voluntarily set up a college for a non-financial entity operating across borders if deemed needed.
The provisional agreement expands the scope and content of AMLA’s supervisory database by asking the Authority to establish and keep up-to-date a central database of information relevant for the AML/CFT supervisory system.
Targeted financial sanctions
The Authority will monitor that selected obliged entities have internal policies and procedures in place to ensure the implementation of targeted financial sanctions asset freezes and confiscations.
Governance
AMLA will have a general board composed of representatives of supervisors an Financial Intelligence Units from all member states, and an executive board, that would be the governing body of the AMLA, composed of the chair of the Authority and five independent full-time members.
The Council and the Parliament removed the Commission’s veto right on some of the powers of the executive board, notably its budgetary powers.
Whistleblowing
The provisional agreement introduces a reinforced whistle-blowing mechanism. Regarding obliged entities, AMLA will only deal with reports coming from the financial sector. It will also be able to attend reports from employees of national authorities.
Disagreements
AMLA will be given the power to settle disagreements with a binding effect in the context of financial sector colleges and, in any other case, upon the request of a financial supervisor.
AMLA seat
The Council and European Parliament are currently negotiating the principles of the selection process of the new Authority’s seat location. Once the selection process has been agreed, the selection process for the seat will be concluded and the location will be introduced in the regulation.
Next steps
The text of the provisional agreement will now be finalised and presented to member states’ representatives and the European Parliament for approval. If approved, the Council and the Parliament will have to formally adopt the texts.
Negotiations between the Council and Parliament on the regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector and the directive on anti-money laundering mechanisms are still ongoing.
Background
On 20 July 2021, the Commission presented its package of legislative proposals to strengthen the EU’s rules on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). This package consists of:
a regulation establishing a new EU anti-money laundering authority (AMLA) which will have powers to impose sanctions and penalties
a regulation recasting the regulation on transfers of funds which aims to make transfers of crypto-assets more transparent and fully traceable
a regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector
a directive on anti-money-laundering mechanisms
The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the regulation on transfers of funds on 29 June 2022.
anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism
