The money where the mouth is...

Late last year, as was publicised in local and international media, the European Commission granted €112 million to Malta for projects that are to be implemented over a period of seven years (till 2013) under the External Borders Fund. Considering that, as the name implies, the fund is aimed at supporting the protection of EU external borders, it is evident that the various funding opportunities will assist us in our bid to combat the phenomenon of illegal immigration, Malta being at the southern-most border of the European Union and at the most challenging.

Although the announcement may seem to have come out of the blue, in fact for the past months this ministry has been working with the various related stakeholders such that a strategic document is drawn up, one that would indicate the priorities that Malta intends to address. This, obviously, addressed activities aimed at protecting our (and, inherently, the EU's) borders. By submitting and, consequently, receiving approval by the Commission for such a strategic document, we have shown that we are willing to pursue every opportunity that is available to us in protecting our borders and addressing the immigration issues we are facing. This is certainly a commitment we intend to honour.

In essence, the various stakeholders involved in border management and control will now have the opportunity to embark on projects that will help them strengthen their operational capacity and their present infrastructure.

These targets will, hopefully, be achieved through the purchase of equipment, enhancement of surveillance capabilities (allowing for better detection and identification in case of unauthorised crossing) and upgrading of IT systems (both locally and in consular offices abroad).

In addition, it is worth pointing out that these funds will also allow us to consolidate the various activities related to our Schengen commitments. Furthermore, such funds will enable us to build and/or upgrade detention centres for persons awaiting expulsion after found crossing into our borders illegally.

This is tangible proof that we are on the right track and the Commission is reacting positively and clearly understanding our needs in regard to other countries (the attached table goes further in demonstrating this).

It is important to point out that the Commission has further proven its commitment by approving the projects pertaining to the calls issued in the first two years of the programme, namely 2007 and 2008. This will provide for tangible results that can be obtained in the short.

The first tranche of the funds, amounting to €15.4 million, will allow the Armed Forces of Malta to modernise its communications infrastructure and to purchase four inshore patrol vessels, the Police Force to purchase up-to-date technical operating equipment (including vehicles, boats and computers), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to upgrade its IT facilities in its consular offices and Viset Limited to bring the sea passenger terminal in line with the requirements of the Schengen acquis.

The above projects constitute only the beginning of a longer process because more initiatives are in the pipeline. Indeed, through this year a project proposal leading to the procurement of a fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft by the Armed Forces of Malta has already been submitted. A commitment we took in our electoral manifesto.

But most important of all, these €112 million are further proof that the European Union is conscious of the difficulties Malta is facing on the illegal immigration front and has moved from the political commitment agreed upon in the Pact for Immigration and Asylum to concrete action.

I have commented, time and again, that there is no fairy dust to tackle the challenges posed by illegal immigration. We can achieve these challenges step by step through sheer hard work, persuasion and a degree of patience. We've come a long way so far and these €112 million will help us in going several steps further.

External Borders Fund 2007-2013 allocations

France: €101.8 million;
Slovenia: €47 million;
Malta: €112 million;
Luxembourg: €0.5 million;
Italy: €211 million;
Greece: €148 million;
Cyprus: €22 million.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici is Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.