Greek Cypriot administration canceling Russians' 'golden passports' under EU pressure

By Mehmet Kemal Firik

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - The Greek Cypriot administration is canceling "golden passports" for Russians who obtained them by paying exorbitant sums, as a result of pressure from the EU, according to media reports Tuesday.

About 40 golden passports given to Russians, who were included in the EU's sanctions list due to the Ukraine-Russia War, were canceled, said Southern Cyprus media.

The EU Commission has frequently objected to Southern Cyprus giving passports to Russian citizens since 2020, providing them with a commercial shield and free movement in Europe.

The accounts of nearly 10,000 Russians were frozen by banks in the Greek Cypriot administration as a result of the sanctions.

- 'Golden passports'

Passports obtained by citizens of non-EU countries by giving money to benefit from the bloc’s free trade, customs facilities and free movement rights are called "golden passports."

The "Golden Passport" application was stopped in 2020 because it also caused corruption allegations in the Greek Cypriot Administration. Some 6,000 people, including nearly 3,000 Russians, received passports from Greek Cypriots.

The Greek Cypriot administration and Malta are criticized and warned by the EU for converting the "Golden Passport" practice into systematic income and providing passports to troubled business people.

Last year, Malta suspended the residency and citizenship program for Russian and Belarusian citizens until further notice.

A foreigner applying for an amount of approximately €1 million ($1.09 million) could obtain a Maltese passport, thus becoming an EU citizen.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar