The European Union and the United Arab Emirates concluded the Ninth EU-UAE Structural Dialogue on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) on 9 July 2026, held virtually. The dialogue reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two sides in combating financial crime, with the EU flagging the need to tackle sanctions circumvention, notably in the current geopolitical context in the Middle East.
The meeting was co-chaired by Omran Sharaf, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology Affairs, and Rosamaria Gili, Deputy Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS). Senior representatives from UAE ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, participated alongside officials from the European Commission's Directorates-General for Financial Stability (DG FISMA), Justice (DG JUST), Home Affairs (DG HOME), the EEAS, and Europol.
Discussions covered judicial cooperation in criminal matters, law enforcement collaboration, exchange of financial intelligence, and a comprehensive review of ongoing cooperation. Both sides agreed to advance a set of technical and tangible deliverables to strengthen coordination and communication between relevant authorities. The EU expressed trust that advancements made by the UAE on judicial and law enforcement cooperation will be visible in its upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation due in February 2027.
Omran Sharaf stated that the ninth edition reflects the shared commitment to strengthening cooperation against financial crime and safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system. The EU side emphasised that in the current geopolitical environment, support for the international rules-based order is as important as ever, and that the dialogue serves to identify mutual priorities and find solutions before issues develop into serious obstacles.
The dialogue impacts several stakeholders. For EU and UAE regulatory bodies, it reinforces coordination on AML/CFT standards and sanctions enforcement, potentially leading to more effective oversight. Financial institutions in both jurisdictions may face increased scrutiny and compliance requirements as cooperation deepens, particularly regarding sanctions circumvention. Law enforcement agencies benefit from improved information sharing and joint operational capabilities. The broader international financial system gains from strengthened safeguards against illicit financial flows, though the absence of binding commitments means implementation remains voluntary.