Nationalist MEP David Casa has tabled a parliamentary question in Brussels asking the European Commission to indicate whether Malta has acted in full responsibility ….
Nationalist MEP David Casa has tabled a parliamentary question in Brussels asking the European Commission to indicate whether Malta has acted in full responsibility of its obligations as a Schengen Member country in ensuring accountability, transparency and seriousness in applying the Schengen regulations, with regard to the Algerian visas scandal.
“The issuing of visas and residence permits by the Maltese authorities in Algeria raises serious questions that could have an impact on the security of Maltese citizens and other Schengen Member States”, Casa said, in reaction to the National Audit Office (NAO) report on the allegations of irregularities surrounding the issuance of Schengen visas from Malta’s consulate in Algeria.
Casa explained that the discrepancies found by the NAO raise serious questions in relation to security both in Malta as well as the Schengen area. He Casa noted that the NAO report indicates that during the period between March 2014 and September 2015, over 5,000 people entered Malta from Algeria on the basis of a visa issued by the consulate, and that for every 4 arrivals only 1 person departed.
“I have been highlighting, in my interventions on this matter for the last 3 years, that the issuing of visas and residence permits by the Maltese authorities in Algeria raises serious questions that could have an impact on the security of Maltese citizens and other Schengen Member States. Being part of the Schengen area carries with it enormous responsibility towards the other EU Member States party”, Casa concluded.
