As Greece sets out its presidency priorities, Malta faces criticism for tarnishing EU citizenship values and MEPs vote to crack down on fraudulent food scandals.

Greek Presidency / EU citizenship for sale  / Food fraud

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Never mind the doubters, Greece bounced  into its six-month presidency

of the European Council  with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras

Outlining his country's  chief priorities to MEPs,

Mr Samaras spoke of the need  to balance fiscal discipline and growth.

The Hellenic presidency is going to promote  the aims of growth and employment

as well as the completion of the Single  market, fighting tax evasion, tax fraud.

Some MEPs said Greece's tough  experiences could serve well other causes.

You can apply all the lessons you learned  in Greece to reform the European Union.

You're in the best position  to tell your colleagues:

No, don't do this, please!  Do a banking union!

Consternation over Malta’s plan  to offer 1,800 passports,

and with them full EU citizenship rights  to anyone with a big enough wallet.

At 650,000 euros per passport,  they’re not for those on a tight budget.

But Malta says it’s not inventing the wheel -

eight other member states  have similar schemes.

It’s not as if anybody can apply  and anyone come in.

They are going to have to pass through  an extremely tight sieve, whoever applies,

to make sure that we are not being used  for money laundering and for crime.

in which horsemeat was sold  as more expensive beef,

MEPs have agreed tough new penalties  to tackle fraud in the food chain.

Steering this through Parliament,  MEP Esther de Lange

says food fraud is increasing  and that feeble fines

and weak cross-border controls  encourage criminals.

Europe is like a waterbed:  if you push hard on one side,

the fraudsters move  and go to another place.

The chance of being caught  must be increased.

She's calling for tougher sanctions,  including withdrawal of licences.