May 27 2009 Direct News
Greek authorities have for the first time responded to requests from Macedonia's Office for Money-Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism for details on bank accounts held by Macedonian citizens in the country. The move breaks a long-standing impasse, with Macedonia claiming that Greece has ignored several previous requests for information that could help its anti-money laundering efforts, Skopje-based news agency Makfax reports.
OMLCFT officials had raised the issue at the annual assembly of the Egmont Group of international financial intelligence units, which is being held in the Qatari capital, Doha.
According to a statement from the commission, Greek officials said they had acted under the direct instruction of the country's foreign minister, Dora Bakoyannis, to ignore any correspondence bearing the constitutional name the Republic of Macedonia.
The OMLCFT added that the Egmont Group urged Greece to improve its cross-border cooperation with Macedonia on issues of money laundering and fighting terrorist financing.
