Convention (2000) on mutual assistance in criminal matters: organised and financial crime, money laundering. Initiative France. 2001 Protocol

The Parliament voted 444 to 20 with 85 abstentions in favour of a resolution, drafted by Mrs Martine ROURE (PES, F), endorsing an intitiative from the French Presidency which aims to step up cooperation in the legal area to ensure that no barriers are put in place to prevent the extradition of suspected criminals accused of money laundering or other related offences involving illicit funds. (Refer to the previous step in the legislative process, decisions of committee responsible). In addition, the non-binding amendments adopted seek to extend the scope of the convention to cover lawyers acting as financial consultants, taking up protection of individuals' rights and seek to oblige any Member State invoking special reasons for not cooperating to state the reasons within two months of the receipt of the request. An other amendment approved supports the setting up of a European Cooperation Unit. �