Citizenship-for-Cash Program in Malta Stirs Security Concerns in European Union

  
    The article posted by Dan Bilefsky discusses the new program in Malta that is causing major concerns for the European Union. The program Citizenship- for Cash, began in February with the purpose to attract foreign investment and boost the economy according to Maltese officials. The program has already attracted interest from Chinese billionaires, wealthy Russians and from executives from countries such as Saudi Arabia. This is causing controversial issues that can be seen as a threat for the European Union. Most of the applicants do not have interest in Malta but to gain access to getting a passport for job opportunities in countries such as France or England. This can cause an exposure of Europe allowing too many people to move in and live in these countries instead of investing in Malta. The Maltese officials intentions may be to help their Mediterranean Island to becoming more known and to invite people to create opportunities there, but the program still has changes to make so people do not take advantage of it. People are abusing the program in ways that can affect other European countries by attracting criminals and the possibility of money laundering or fraud. This is why the program should find better ways to secure the program to only have applicants that are purely coming to benefit from Malta and not from other European countries.



-Monica Gryszowka

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/06/world/europe/citizenship-for-cash-program-in-malta-stirs-security-concerns-in-european-union.html?ref=world