Peter Agius requests European evaluation on Identity Malta in meeting with European Commissioner Ilva Johansson.

Today MEP Peter Agius met with European Commissioner Ilva Johansson to discuss the ongoing scandal of fraudulent identity card documents by Identity Malta. 

Up to 18,000 fraudulent identity cards were allegedly issued by Identity Malta over the past years in an organised ‘documents for money’ racket resulting in the erosion of public trust in Malta’s identity card system which ultimately gives freedom of movement to the whole European Union Schengen area.

In the meeting today at the Headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, MEP Peter Agius said, ‘To restore trust in our ID cards system we need concrete public action. Unfortunately, Government remains in denial. PN's calls for action fell on deaf ears. I am thus calling on the European Commission to assist with its technical tools to review current practices at Identity Malta through an evaluation as per the Schengen Regulation.’’ 

The Schengen Evaluation and Monitoring Mechanism in Regulation 2022/922 provides in fact for general or thematic evaluations to assess current practices at local authorities in charge of administering the Schengen rules. 

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson enquired about the situation in Malta and stressed that local authorities are indeed on the frontline of ensuring that free movement rules are implemented.

‘The European Commission can help us improve our enjoyment of European rights. We must not shy away from using EU tools to improve local practices where these are evidently failing us. This is why the Maltese joined the UE after all, to improve our quality of life including our security. Government’s insistence to deny public action on the massive failure with Malta’s ID card system amounts to obstinate arrogance. As an elected MEP from Malta and Gozo I will use all EU tools at hand to Malta’s benefit.’ concluded Dr Peter Agius.