Opposition demands NAO investigation on Algerian visa allegations

The Opposition has requested an investigation by the National Auditor’s Office into the issuance of 7,000 travel visas by the Maltese consulate in Algeria, in the first months of 2005.

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami said the Opposition’s main concern was about the allegations of bribery and corruption.

“We are asking the NAO to investigate whether any corruption took place and whether anyone in the Consulate was bribed,” he said.

Speaking in parliament, prime minister Joseph Muscat said that no abuse had been identified in the issuing of visas by the Maltese mission in Algeria, and that all applications were subjected to the Schengen information system. He added that there had been no protest from the French government about the matter. However Fenech Adami stressed that the allegations went beyond security issues.

“There are serious allegations of bribery, regardless of whether these applicants are worthy of the visa or not,” he said, adding that questions had also been raised about whether those issued visas had in fact respected the terms of their initial application.

The Opposition is also asking the NAO to investigate the actions of the former consul in Algeria, Robert Falzon, a cousin of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, and whether Falzon had the necessary qualifications and experience for the position.

The move follows the PN's repeated calls for a government inquiry after reports in the PN media that Malta was being used as a "stepping stone" for Algerian and Middle Eastern nationals to use the Schengen area. The Maltese consulate in Algeria issued 6,781 visas since it started issuing travel documents in March 2014, something Fenech Adami said had raised questions due to the fact that Malta does not normally receive Algerian tourists.

During the press conference spokesperson for migration Francis Zammit Dimech also pointed out that the PN was urging the NAO to investigate claims and verify whether the national airline Air Malta was involved in the issue. He added that it would be easy to analyse the flight records and verify whether or not passengers travelling to Malta were at any point returning back to  their country.

The government on its part said in a reaction that the Opposition should forward any information it had on alleged corruption to the police.

"The Opposition is choosing to play partisan games on the same day that the Prime Minister is leading a business delegation to Algeria in a bid to open new markets after having lost the Libyan market. The government will assist Maltese businesses to widen their horizons."

Military action on Isis

Asked whether Maltese soldiers should be involved in any European campaign against the Islamic State, after the French government invoked Article 42.7 of the TFEU, Fenech Adami said the country had to fulfil its obligations like all other international member states.

However, the shadow home affairs minister said that Malta does not have the same military capacity as other countries and that its contribution does not necessarily need to be of a military nature.

Calling the Paris attacks, “Europe’s 9/11,” Fenech Adami added that the attack on France was considered an attack on the whole of Europe.

“The government has the responsibility both to fulfil its international objectives and to safeguard the rights and lives of the citizens.”