Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri insisted Monday that Malta’s anti-money laundering institutions have a “very clear role.”

He was asked to react to comments by the head of Luxembourg-based European Public Prosecutor's Office, who said Malta is paying lip service in its efforts to crack down on EU fraud and corruption, the EU Observer reports.

Laura Codruţa Kövesi told European lawmakers last week that Malta's authorities were unable to respond to simple questions. "I visited Malta. I had meetings with the national authorities and after two days it was very difficult for me to identify the institution that is responsible for detecting crimes," she said.

"All of them said that 'it's not me. It's them.' And when I visited them, they said 'it's not us'," she said.

Asked by The Malta Independent to react to Kovesi’s comments, Camillleri said: “I saw the replies given by the various entities, including today by the FIAU, and I feel that your question does not reflect the things said by the person you’re referring to.”

Camilleri said he believes the Maltese institutions have a clear role, adding that they have passed on five cases to the EPPO since October of last year.

“I am also responsible for the police, who are also tasked with investigating financial crime, and who have stated already that they investigate all allegations brought before them,” Camilleri said. 

Video: Miguela Xuereb/Newsbook