Money laundering is a gradual process of conversion of income collected from illegal activities in funds deriving from seemingly legal sources, which real source, nature and ownership cannot be revealed. Financing of terrorism is a process of providing and collecting assets or funds in any way, directly or indirectly, illegally and consciously with intention to be used for terrorist acts. Money laundering and financing of terrorism cause serious economic and social consequences, such as: undermining of national security, weakening of the economic financial system integrity, decreasing the level of the national economy, which at the same time becomes attractive for (short-term) investments of criminals, increasing the crime level, etc. Three strategic documents have been so far prepared and realised for strengthening the system for prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism: the National Strategy for fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism (2005 –2008), the National Strategy for fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism (2009 –2011), and the National Strategy for fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism (2012 –2014).

This document is a consequence of the need to continue and direct the dynamics for improvements of the systemfor prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism in the Republic of Macedonia. The national strategy for fight against money laundering and financing of terrorism (hereinafter: the Strategy) is a strategic document, which ranks midterm priorities and defines activities that should improve the system for prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism in the Republic of Macedonia. The goals and the activities planned in this Strategy are coherent with the activities envisioned in the National Program for Adoption of the European Union Law and proceed together with the realised activities.