“It’s a totally different concept. So there is no financial contribution. The new program is purely merit based. And till now we only have a very brief amendment in the law. We don’t have guidelines as yet. But the amendment says that Maltese citizenship can be given to anyone who renders exceptional services to Malta. Now that the actual law includes the possibility of job creation, scientists, researchers, athletes, cultural performers, it’s very wide, philanthropists, […] then that person may be granted citizenship.” – Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi

“So the first concern was a purely transactional program, and this is not transactional at all. So it’s not a question of a payment. And the second, was the lack of a genuine link to Malta. I’m absolutely sure that no one is going to be given citizenship under this program without a genuine link to Malta.” – Dr. James Muscat Azzopardi