EU approves €112m allocation to Malta from Borders Fund

The European Commission has allocated €112 million to Malta under the External Borders Fund 2007-2013.

Vice President Jacques Barrot, who is responsible for the Justice, Freedom and Security portfolio, welcomed the adoption of the multi-annual programme for the implementation of the External Borders Fund.

"The approval of this multi-annual programme is an important step for Malta, being one of the Member States facing considerable challenges at the Southern borders of the EU. Through this programme Malta has shown its commitment to strengthening its capacity for effective border control thus contributing to the European common integrated border management system."

Malta has decided to use the funds for the further gradual establishment of the common integrated border management system; Development of the national components of a European Surveillance system and/or a permanent European Patrol Network at the southern maritime borders; Support for the issuing of visas and the tackling of illegal immigration by the consular services of the Member States in third countries; Establishment of IT systems required by Community rules on external borders and visas (VIS and SIS);

Among the projects financed in the 2007 and 2008 annual programmes in Malta are the modernisation of the communications infrastructure supporting maritime border control activities; The purchase of operating equipment for the Immigration Police; The upgrade of security features in the visa section of a number of Malta’s missions in third countries; The purchase of four new patrol vessels for more rapid intervention capabilities and investment in IT systems to finalise the migration to the Schengen Information System II.