Discussions are still ongoing regarding the European Commission’s concerns over Malta’s controversial “golden passports” scheme which allows for wealthy individuals to be able to buy Maltese citizenship.

Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Communities Alex Muscat told The Malta Independent on Wednesday that discussions with the European Commission are still ongoing, and no decisions have been made thus far.

“We hope to continue the mature discussions on this regard, in hopes to come to an agreement and keep this investment,” said Muscat, referring to the infringement proceedings initiated by the European Commission.

“There has been a first letter, which was answered to, as well as a second letter,” Muscat said regarding the discussions.

Muscat had previously said that Malta is willing to take all legal paths to ensure nationality and citizenship remain solely on national interest, insisting that it will defend its position even if the case had to go to the European Court of Justice.

European Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen had said that the subject of golden passports could enable an individual access to 27 member states in the European Union, after a scrutinising assessment was done on Malta’s Individual Investor Programme (IIP) scheme.

The new scheme amended by government allowed for applicants to first invest €750,000 before being eligible for citizenship after one year of residency. Individuals who invest €600,000 can apply after three years of residency.

The European Commission aims to stop the procedure of the golden passport scheme.