The Foreign Ministry said this afternoon that Malta's consulates in Libya processed 2,596 visa applications in the past two months.
The ministry was reacting to a call by Labour leader Joseph Muscat for the visas procedure to be simplified.
"The Leader of the Opposition failed to mention specific measures taken by the Central Visa Unit to facilitate visa issuance to Libyan nationals. These measures go back to 2007. Prior to Schengen membership in 2007, the government had already simplified such issuance through the various initiatives," the ministry said.
"A bold initiative was the further issuance of National "D" Long-Stay visas to Libyan nationals wishing to visit Malta for visits exceeding three months. In particular, the Government had specifically targeted those Libyan nationals who have close family ties in Malta; who have an established positive record in visiting Malta; who own a business/property in Malta, including, who are Directors or share-holders of companies registered in Malta; who have an established record of long-term rents of property in Malta; who are visiting Malta regularly over a long period of time for certified medical...
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