Malta ignores EU on passport sales

The body of a drowned migrant is lowered from an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) ship at the AFM Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf in Valletta's Grand Harbour.

The body of a drowned migrant is lowered from an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) ship at the AFM Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf in Valletta's Grand Harbour.

Published Jan 16, 2014

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Valletta, Malta - Malta's government has rebuffed European lawmakers' call to halt a plan to sell Maltese passports to foreigners, which would automatically grant access to the European Union.

The European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a non-binding resolution urging Malta to stop the programme, saying it “undermines the very concept of European citizenship”.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told a news conference that Europe's position has been noted but that the plan will continue.

Applications have already started to be received, but he declined to say how many since the program took effect earlier this week.

The programme requires investments of 1.15 million euros ($1.57million) but lacks a residency requirement. Muscat has said it will be capped at 1 800 passports.

Sapa-AP

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