Russians, Chinese keen to buy EU passports from Malta

According to Henley & Partners, a British firm handling the controversial Maltese passports' sale scheme, told EUobserver that “over 200” people from 30 different nationalities had applied since it got up and running in early 2014. Russians, Chinese, and people from the Middle East had shown the most interest.

The scheme received harsh criticism both from Maltese opposition and EU authorities since it was first approved by the national parliament in November 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Malta tightens passport sale terms under EU pressure / Memo: Joint Press Statement by the European Commission and the Maltese Authorities on Malta's Individual Investor Programme (IIP) http://www.europeansources.info/record/malta-tightens-passport-sale-terms-under-eu-pressure-memo-joint-press-statement-by-the-european-commission-and-the-maltese-authorities-on-maltas-individual-investor-programme-iip/

The Malta Independent, 24.08.14: EP budget committee chair continues tolambast citizenship programme http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-08-24/news/ep-budget-committee-chair-continues-tolambast-citizenship-programme-6314917893/

Malta Today, 26.08.14: IIP cash ‘goes straight to Identity Malta’ says head http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/business/business_news/42681/iip_cash_goes_straight_to_identity_malta_says_head#.U_x0WRCa-G0

EurActiv, 13.01.15: Citizenship by investment: Reflections from Malta one year later http://www.euractiv.com/sections/social-europe-jobs/citizenship-investment-reflections-malta-one-year-later-311194

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