Austrian embassies to issue Maltese visas

Foreigners who live in countries where there is no Maltese representation can apply for a visa to travel to Malta through the Austrian Embassy under a new agreement that has just been signed.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Austria’s Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Michael Spindelegger.

Malta has 25 embassies around the world, which means many countries do not have Maltese representation. The Austrian authorities will now be able to represent Malta and issue travel visas on its behalf.

The agreement replaced a similar one signed in 2004 and will remain in place until the Lisbon Treaty is ratified by all EU countries. After that, visa applications will be available from European Commission offices in various countries.

Dr Borg said the two countries had important trade and investment ties. A considerable number of Austrian banks operated in Malta, employing a number of Maltese graduates in banking and finance. He pointed out that Vienna International Airport had majority shareholding in Malta’s airport.