Visa requirements simplified

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said yesterday that visa regulations for travel between Malta and Libya have been simplified to further facilitate the movement of persons between the two countries.

Dr Frendo said in an adjournment speech in Parliament yesterday morning that the visa requirement for travel between the two countries was introduced only because of EU regulations, and not because Malta really wanted to.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had always made it clear that the visa requirement should be of an administrative nature and should in no way obstruct or hinder the movement of people for business or recreation between the two countries.

For this purpose, Malta had set up its biggest consulate abroad in Tripoli, where an average of 60 visa applications were received each day.

Dr Frendo said the situation was constantly monitored and some difficulties were experienced earlier this month when a new officer took over at the consulate, replacing another who had enjoyed experience of the environment and the people he dealt with. Although the new officer was not at fault for what had happened, the visa regulations introduced in May 2004 had been simplified, removing points which were seen as being excessively bureaucratic.

Dr Frendo said he had an open door policy with the Libyan ambassador on this matter and the ambassador had reported that matters had improved.

The minister said Malta gave priority to a strong relationship with Libya and certainly did not wish the visa requirement to cause travel difficulties. It was for this purpose that he was in favour of three and six month multiple entry visas. The aim was to have as many long-term multi-entry visas as possible to make the visas requirement merely an administrative measure.