International media reported yesterday that Maltese President George Abela defended the Individual Investor Programme during a state visit to Austria. News websites said that Dr Abela defended the scheme saying that it “represents an investment for Malta.”

The President reportedly made these comments at a press conference in the Hofburg in Vienna on Tuesday, where he was joined by Austrian President Heinz Fischer.

Chinese Xinhua news agency, which was quoting the Austria Press Agency, said: “despite the controversy surrounding the issue including condemnation from the European Parliament and Maltese opposition parties, Abela said Malta had not been expressly mentioned in the European Parliament resolution. In addition all granted citizenships are first subject to compliance with EU values, he said.”