Leader of the EPP Dutch delegation rubbishes the Maltese citizenship scheme. Calls for an EU investigation. “If Malta needs money, this is not the way to go about it,” he said.
Wim van der Camp
Wim van de Camp, leader of the Dutch European People’s Party delegation in the European Parliament, has spoken about the Malta government’s sale of citizenship.
“This scheme is contrary to EU principles and more specifically at odds with the Schengen rules. There is a clear lack of transparency if the names of those persons buying citizenship are not published. If Malta needs money, this is not the way to go about it. An EU investigation is warranted.”
Asked for his reaction, David Casa, leader of the Maltese EPP delegation, said that Malta is “falling into disrepute internationally”.
“The introduction of this scheme is highly embarrassing for Malta and for the Maltese also because acquisition of a Maltese passport does not stop there. Malta forms part of a free movement area, called the Schengen area. If non-EU nationals buy Maltese citizenship, these non-EU nationals do not just acquire Maltese citizenship but also EU citizenship.
“With their Maltese passports, they can travel on Schengen territory without border checks and they can also settle down in a Schengen country, like The Netherlands. This is bound to be interpreted as an abuse of the privileges Malta has gained through EU membership as well as disrespect towards our partner member states.
“That is exactly why this scheme is raising eyebrows in the European Parliament. The thick cloud of secrecy surrounding the scheme runs counter to EU principles, and more pertinently, the fact that these names will remain under wraps is bound to attract questionable non-EU nationals wishing to gain a foothold into EU countries such as The Netherlands.”
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Wow. Now this is one hell of a U-turn. Tonight the government is stating through Louis Grech that they are going to amend the law and remove the confidentiality clause and will be putting the name of the people who obtain citizenship in the Government Gazette.
Really goes to show the only reason this amendment was not accepted in parliament was the result of a ‘pika’ and PN was correct to say it the government just bulldozed the law through.
I hope this amendment is retroactive just in case any citizenships were granted since the passing of the law.
This is what I have learnt about the PL over the past few months.
When Muscat called for his famous “push back” the Maltese protested. NGOs, lawyers everyone with half a heart was against it. But only when the EU came down on him did he change his mind, and then, if I remember correctly, we were told that he wasn’t actually going to do it but only wanted to get the EU’s attention. Well, he got it all right, but it was the wrong type of attention.
Now we hear that they have decided to ditch the secrecy clause (makes no difference to me; still against it). But the Maltese have been voicing their objection for quite some time now. It is only when Muscat and the PL are faced with the foreign press that they start making changes. Why?
I think its because Muscat is actually a coward, and a stupid one at that. He seems to think that he can placate the Maltese and do what he likes. He has forgotten that he exists in a network much bigger than Malta, and although he may be able to ignore the press at home, he has little influence abroad.
So our objection was not partisan, but real. We all knew that this would be a disaster and that Malta will look stupid. We were right. But Muscat doesn’t listen to the people, he only listens to those outside of Malta, the people he is actually afraid of.
Do we now have to scream out to the rest of the world for Muscat to listen to us? Do we now have to run for help from the EU every time Muscat decides to pass one of his stupid laws?
Are we now forever going to have to be going to and fro asking for a foreign leader or journalist to give their opinion on something so that Muscat can finally get passed his own prejudices towards those who oppose his ideas and listen to us?
Perfect. Thank you Holland.
Freedom is not about doing whatever you want.
It”s about having the structures in place that enable action and operations.
There is a big difference between the two structures of Freedom to do whatever you want and Freedom of operation put in place through liberating structures.
The structures of organisations and Government are like a ladder. They are liberating when used within a positive value system.
…………
Malta is using the structure of Freedom of the Press as a constricting structure.
This week has brought about some exceptions.They are to be lauded.
Serves the EU right. Where has it been while one of its member states was trodding over its people?
They intervened when Montenegro had a similar scheme, and spoke out when Hungary’s government was wreaking havoc.
I always laid faith in the EU to look after us when Labour is in government, but now I feel abandoned.
It’s in the EU’s interest to make sure that Malta does not introduce terrorists and other undesirables into its countries, and that it presents a solid budget. This budget was nothing but more government propaganda.
Lil dan ser nigdmulu lsienu ukoll?
http://www.chogm2013.lk/files/2613/8452/5871/The_Commonwealth_Heads_of_Government_Meeting_CHOGM_2013_Opening_Ceremony_slider02.jpg
Sale of Maltese citizenship – how the world sees it
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sale-of-Maltese-citizenship-how-the-world-sees-it/176956612500193?ref=ts&fref=ts
Attention should also be directed to those EU officials who supported Muscat during his campaign.
If they now aspire to higher office, I do not think that their endorsement speaks much of their vision, especially if that vision purports to lead the entire European Union.
In fact the person who endorsed Muscat should be evaluated and reevaluated in this light.