Dutch parliamentarians have initiated a procedure with the European Commission to disclose all documents and correspondence regarding the controversial passport trade of Malta, Bosnia, and Cyprus. The sale of passports, especially by the tiny state Malta, is a major concern for them.
Initially, Dutch politicians from both governing and opposition parties had hoped to receive answers to their questions from the government in The Hague. But because Dutch ministers apparently did not have access to that information in Brussels, they have now appealed to disclosure procedures there. The European Commission must publish all documents concerning the controversial passport trade by EU member states, according to their freedom of information request.
The Dutch also request correspondence with other candidate member states. Among others, Albania has already announced it plans to sell passports in view of possible accession to the EU. The European Parliament in Strasbourg has also called several times to halt the sales, but the EU does not have authority over issuing national passports, even though these have legal effects across the entire EU.
Bosnia and the EU member states Cyprus and Malta offer passports for sale at high prices. Anyone who acquires such a passport in an EU country becomes not only a resident of that country but also an EU citizen with all the associated benefits. The passport trade attracts ultra-wealthy but also suspicious investors from Russia, the Middle East, and China. With an EU passport, they can circumvent strict controls, for example by banks.
The Dutch parliamentarians emphasize the great dangers posed by the passport trade. Malta issues such a coveted document to anyone who can pay around 900,000 euros. These individuals can then travel across Europe without restrictions. “As the EU as a whole, you are only as strong as your weakest link,” said CDA MP Pieter Omtzigt.
Last year, Omtzigt conducted research as a member of the Council of Europe, the cooperation of European parliaments, into the murder of a Maltese investigative journalist who had exposed close ties between Maltese criminals and politicians. The sale of passports was only a small part of this. Omtzigt’s report partly led to a trial in Malta against the murderers and their hidden bosses. Even the Maltese prime minister ultimately had to resign.
The European Commission has announced it will respond within fifteen days to the request for disclosure of all documents about the passport trade.