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 treatment in Malta; students registered to follow academic or language or training courses in Malta at an educational institution or entity.
In appropriate cases, such a visa may be issued for more than one year, up to a period of five years, for multiple-entries.
The reduction in the visa fee for National "D" visas which stands at Libyan Dinars 10.00 also facilitated visa issuance to Libyan nationals was another initiative undertaken by the Central Visa Unit.
In 2008 - 45% of all Schengen visas issued were multiple-entry while 62.56% of all National visas were multiple-entry;
In 2009 - 73% of all Schengen visas issued were multiple-entry while 87.63% of all National visas were multiple-entry;
In 2010 - as compared to the 1st Quarter of 2009 (January-April) there was a 70% increase in multiple-entry Schengen visas, and a 20% increase in multiple-entry National visas.
The ministry said the consulates of Malta in Benghazi and Tripoli were immediately open for processing of visas after the Libyan uprising. The consulates also processed visas of Libyan nationals wishing to visit France and Italy because the France and Italian embassies were burnt down during the uprising.
The consulate in Benghazi issued 454 visas and refused 20 while the consulate in Tripoli issued 1985 and refused 137.