EU aid for border control

The European Commission has provided €50,000 to help the Armed Forces of Malta boost their capabilities in border control, in line with the Schengen Convention.

The aim is to ensure that the border management authorities have the required technical, operational and administrative capacity to implement all EU standards in border control.

The government said the money will go towards procuring ballistic vests and a ground power unit that will help the AFM to provide an adequate level of maritime border surveillance in most weather conditions by day or night.

The army will thus be able to react more quickly and efficiently, ensuring the best use of its limited assets.

The AFM are in line with their commitments under the Schengen Convention, an agreement among European states which allows for the abolition of systematic border controls between the participating countries.

It also includes provisions on common policy on the temporary entry of persons (including the Schengen Visa), the harmonisation of external border controls and cross-border police co-operation.

Malta is set to implement the Schengen Agreement on December 31 (overland borders) and on March 29 next year (seaports and airports).