Malta participates in EU intelligence sharing network

Malta, together with other EU southern border member states such as Italy, Spain, France and Greece, yesterday started participating in a network launched by the EU border control agency Frontex which is intended to help in the fight against illegal immigration.

Known as the European Patrols Network (EPN), it provides a permanent regional border security concept that enables the synchronisation of national measures by member states and their integration with joint European activities.

EU Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said the network is further proof of Europe's added value in managing the EU's southern sea borders.

"The challenge posed by illegal immigration calls for innovative instruments and courageous political initiatives. As shown by the recent tragedy near Malta, involving the likely death of 57 immigrants, all efforts to reduce the loss of life at sea, such as the European Border Patrols Network, are essential, and I am ready and willing to support it," he said.

Mr Frattini said the EPN will help the member states forge a European team spirit, which will further develop mutual trust and a culture of exchanging all relevant information regularly. They will also be able to use their available resources more efficiently, thus achieving positive synergies and economies of scale.

According to Frontex, the system is based on surveillance activities already carried out by individual member states. Its function is to integrate all the information gathered into a European surveillance system.

The EU agency said the fact that one system would be in place, coordinated by one body, would substantially contribute to the effectiveness of surveillance activities, to their high and uniform level as well as to effective use of resources.