Embassy of Malta in Cairo highlights benefits of Schengen area

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=100469

Two years have passed since Malta adopted the euro currency and joined the Schengen area. According to an analysis conducted by the Embassy of Malta in Cairo, joining the Schengen area was beneficial because it has diminished illegal immigration from Egypt and attracted genuine tourists to Malta.

During the period 2008-2009, the Embassy issued 2,019 visas compared to a total of 856 in 2006 and 2007, which means that traffic to Malta from Egypt increased by 236 per cent. Among the persons travelling to Malta were dignitaries, tourists, students, business people, workers, conference participants, and sports people.

Prior to joining the EU, Egyptian citizens did not require a visa to enter Malta. After Malta’s accession into the EU in May 2004 and the Schengen area at the beginning of 2008, nationals of Egypt had to submit a number of documents and sit for an interview at the embassy to obtain a visa. Thanks to these interviews and the professional vetting by this embassy’s officials and the Malta police, illegal immigration from Egypt has waned as the persons who fall under the illegal immigration risk category were not issued with a visa.

The Maltese Embassy in Cairo has built a reputation for being efficient in its visa procedure, and for its friendly staff. Furthermore, the numerous public relations exercises that this embassy has embarked upon has led a number of high calibre Egyptian tourists to apply at this embassy. The Maltese Embassy’s approach attracted Egyptians who never thought of going to Malta. More people are enjoying Malta’s attractions and recommending the Maltese Archipelago to their friends.

It is also important to note that Maltese citizens who wanted to co-operate with Egyptians in various fields of interest were provided with full assistance by the embassy. A case in point is the number of visas issued to Egyptian fishermen who are invited by Maltese fishing companies to boost their fishing fleets.

The Embassy of Malta in Egypt is optimistic that real tourism and trade to Malta will continue to increase in the coming months, especially in summer. For further information please visit the embassy’s website on http://www.mfa. gov.mt/egypt.