MEPs had mixed reactions yesterday to the Maltese passport scheme they are due to debate tomorrow, but three in four told Keith Micallef they were against the way European citizenship had been put up for sale.

Wim van de Camp, Dutch MEP (EPP)

• My principal objection is that citizenship should not be put up for sale. If member states will start such schemes, we will get a very strange union, as this is a non-tradable good. Also, any such scheme should at least include residency obligations. I was also unhappy about the fact that, initially, the Maltese government did not want to disclose the identity of the beneficiaries of this scheme. Another concern is that members of the extended family can then buy citizenship at a much reduced price. This scheme also poses security risks, as it will open the door of the Schengen Area to non-EU citizens, some of whom may also be involved in money-laundering activities.

Sven Giegold, Swedish MEP (Greens)

• Citizenship should not be for sale, but in any case, if it is granted it should be made on clear conditions that there is some attachment with the country. I accept that the Maltese government has made some changes after the criticism to the scheme but it was not sufficient, as there is still no attachment to residency. It is also questionable whether one should treat poor and rich people differently when dealing with the right to citizenship. Therefore, the Maltese government should make additional changes to this scheme.

Stephen Hughes, British MEP (vice-chairman, Socialists)

• It is rather surprising that Malta’s scheme is causing so much controversy, as practically every member state has provisions in place to grant residency or citizenship for people willing to make certain provisions, be it a certain amount of investment, purchase of property or whatever. So it is rather strange that this mountain is being made out of a molehill. I am also disappointed that at the moment the text of the resolution mentions Malta, as we have a tacit EU agreement that these issues should be left to member states, including whether there should be obligations on residence.

Renate Weber, Romanian MEP (Liberals)

• The intentions of the Maltese government went far beyond what we have seen till now because this is literally buying European citizenship. This is regardless of how one got the money, possibly giving access to people who might have a criminal background. It also represents huge discrimination between the poor and the rich people, who can afford to buy European citizenship. This scheme is definitely very immoral, as third country nationals will have access to the Schengen Area, which to some EU citizens is not accessible.