The regulation establishing the new European Union agency to combat money laundering entered into force today and the search for the first head of the agency is already underway, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Candidates must apply by July 8 to head the Frankfurt-based agency, which is expected to employ around 430 people from next year.
Earlier this year, the EU decided that the agency's headquarters would be in Frankfurt. Until now, there was no pan-European anti-money laundering authority.
"Money laundering and terrorist financing are major problems for the EU. They pose major risks to the EU economy and financial system, as well as to the security of EU citizens," the statement said, announcing the search for the agency's president.
The European Commission aims to finalize a shortlist of at least two candidates, with the final selection to be made by early 2025. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner is lobbying for the agency to be based in Frankfurt, where the European Central Bank and the EU's insurance watchdog are already based. Lindner told "Ex" that today was an important step in the fight against money laundering. "Honest citizens and honest businesspeople are harmed when mafia clans are able to launder money on a large scale," he said.