AP reports from Nicosia that Cyprus’ finance minister says the government has toughened up vetting procedures for applicants hoping to be granted a Cypriot passport under the country’s investors’ naturalization scheme.
Harris Georgiades announced Tuesday the new procedures will be “stricter and more credible.” The number of passports granted under the scheme will be capped at 700 a year.
He added that on top of the scrutiny Cypriot authorities currently put applications through, foreign agencies will also carry out “exhaustive checks” to ensure the suitability of any applicant.
Georgiades admitted that there may have been “weaknesses” to procedures under the previous rules. But he rejected the notion that “the Cypriot passport is up for sale” and dismissed previous media reports making similar insinuations.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Nino Verde License: CC-BY-SA
