On the alleged discrimination of long-term residents in Malta 

The petitioner claims that Council Directive 2003/109/EC, concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents, was intended to provide preferable conditions for the purpose of employment to long-term residents of other Member States. On this premise, he deplores that such long-term residents have to comply with much stricter requirements, and endure a slower processing of applications, than third-country nationals applying for a single permit under the provisions of Directive 2011/98/EU. A similar situation occurs with third-country nationals covered by Directives 2009/50/EC and (EU) 2016/801. Therefore, the petitioner proposes amending Directive 2003/109/EC to ensure that long-term residents of other Member States in no case should have to comply with stricter requirements, or endure a slower processing of applications, than third-country nationals submitting their application under Directive 2011/98/EU, or Directives 2009/50/EC and (EU) 2016/801.