Pavla Sivova, ACF: The so called “Golden Passports” or investment citizenship schemes contradict the principles of the European Union

The European Commission was very clear that granting citizenship for investment, also known as granting a “golden passport,” could not go on forever. This practice contradicts basic EU principles, Pavla Sivova, a junior legal expert at the Anti-Corruption Fund, commented on Eurocom Television. Sivova added that there are flagrant cases in Bulgaria where, despite investigations of their criminal record, convicted and criminally involved persons have managed to obtain Bulgarian citizenship. She added that obtaining European citizenship is the cheapest in Bulgaria because the required investment was 1 milllion euro. “The main criterion is the financial investment, the payment of a price. According to the EU, European citizenship is not for trade,” the expert said. Another problem, according to her, is the lack of a definition of citizenship for “special merits”: “We know of some striking cases where citizenship for special merit is awarded for placing a memorial plaque or publishing a book related to Bulgaria or even a mere investment promise. An intention to invest in Bulgaria obviously could be considered special merit to the state. ” Sivova was confident that Bulgaria would face criminal proceedings from the EU if the practice does not stop.