Antigua and Barbuda is defending its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) against growing scrutiny from the European Union, insisting its screening process is among the most rigorous in the world and arguing that the programme should be judged on its own merits rather than grouped with others.
The government’s position was outlined Thursday during the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, where Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant responded to questions about the EU’s proposal that Caribbean nations phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes to retain visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
Merchant said Antigua and Barbuda has consistently strengthened its due diligence procedures and remains committed to maintaining one of the region’s most transparent investment migration programmes.
“The government believes that Antigua and Barbuda has one of the most stringent, one of the most highly scrutinized and transparent CIP programmes,” Merchant said. He noted that the country’s vetting process is significantly more extensive than in some competing jurisdictions, with some applications taking as long as 24 months to complete because of comprehensive background checks.
He said the lengthy processing times reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring only thoroughly vetted applicants are granted citizenship.
Merchant acknowledged that visa-free access to Europe is a major selling point of Antigua and Barbuda’s passport and conceded that losing Schengen access would have a significant impact on the Citizenship by Investment Programme. However, he said the government does not believe it should be compelled to abandon the programme and will instead continue discussions with European officials.
During the briefing, a reporter also questioned why the European Union has raised concerns about Caribbean investment migration programmes when several European countries have operated residency- or citizenship-by-investment schemes of their own.
Merchant responded that Antigua and Barbuda intends to present its case directly to the European Union by highlighting the safeguards built into its programme.
“We have a case to put forward to the European Union to say, look at our programme in depth, look at what we have done, look at all of the laws and guidelines that we have put in place,” he said.
He added that the programme is designed not only to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s security interests but also those of countries that allow Antiguan and Barbudan passport holders visa-free entry.
“It has provided significant economic benefit to Antigua and Barbuda. It is what developing countries have at their disposal as one of the arsenals to support its economy,” Merchant said.
Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with the European Union while working alongside fellow Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members to develop a coordinated regional response to the EU’s proposal. Officials say the objective is to preserve Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign right to pursue its own economic development policies while addressing European security concerns through dialogue rather than the elimination of the programme.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Defends CIP Against EU Criticism, Says Programme Among World's Most Secure.