JUSTICE : SALE OF MALTESE PASSPORTS: COMMISSION WANTS TO KNOW MORE.

• Position: Brief article

Bowing to pressure from the European Parliament and the Commission, Malta announced, on 29 January, changes to its new system of "selling" its citizenship to non-Europeans for 650,000 - part of which has to be invested in real estate on the archipelago. On top of conditions previously laid down, candidates - who will also consequently be obtaining EU citizenship - will have to reside for at least 12 months in Malta. "No certificate of naturalisation will be issued unless the applicant provides proof that he/she has resided in Malta for a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the day of issuing of the certificate of naturalisation," the Maltese authorities wrote in a press release co-signed by the Commission. Meanwhile, "the Commission's services welcomed the announced amendments concerning the residence requirement - done in good faith and in a spirit of sincere cooperation - and both parties...