The European Parliament overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling on European Union institutions not to bow to the pressure of countries on the black list of countries in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, including Saudi Arabia.
The resolution stresses that these pressures are part of the process of identifying countries whose financial systems pose a high risk to EU countries, and that this pressure should not be allowed to undermine the ability of EU institutions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in an effective and independent manner.
The resolution welcomes the new methodology adopted by UNHCR to identify high-risk countries and calls for a new list to be issued as soon as possible.
Al-Jazeera correspondent Noureddine Bouziane said that at least six parliamentary blocs stood behind this decision and defended it strongly, asserting that many MPs are not betting on economic relations and interests with Saudi Arabia, but are talking with dismay at Saudi and American pressure on the European Council and European governments to Non-compliance with decisions.
The vote came on Thursday after the European Council refused to adopt a list proposed by the European Commission, which includes 23 countries - including Saudi Arabia - where the sponsors expressed regret for the rejection.