Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister E.P Chet Greene says the twin island state will fight to the end to protect its Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP).
He was responding to question about the viability of the citizenship for sale model in light of European Union concerns.
“Is the government prepared to disband the program?” he asked. “Well disbanding the program is not an option for us at this moment.”
Greene said the country is prepared to what he described as fighting “to the bitter end.”
“We understand the importance of the program to us,” he stated. “We have even strong enough views because we operate a program that is above and beyond reproach. Our books can be pulled, can be reviewed, our reports are tabled in parliament. So we are doing everything that is required of us by law and in terms of what is expected by international partners.”
He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda should not be ‘broad brushed’ with other countries that are not operating their programs in an optimal manner.
“They should look at us for what we bring to the table and how we manage the program and if anything, cite us as an example of good management,” Greene said.
