Spain to support Malta's bid to host European Asylum Support Office

Spain is to support Malta's bid to host the European Asylum Support Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos said today.

"We understand Malta's problem with illegal immigration and hence will put this issue as one of the priorities of the European Union during the Spanish Presidency during the first half of 2010. We want to go to concrete terms. Frontex will be given a new role, in order to be more efficient. The Spanish Presidency will be in close contact with Malta, Greece and Cyprus in order to achieve a new momentum and obtain much better results in immigration.The pilot project by the European Union, a project undertaken due to Malta's pressure on the European Unon now needs to be re-enforced with further measures," the Spanish Foreign Minister said.

Mr Moratinos is currently in Malta accompanying Spanish King Juan Carlos.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg thanked his Spanish counterpart for this commitment .

Malta and Spain this morning signed cooperation agreements on a range of subjects, notably maritime affairs, education and culture.

During a press conference shortly after the signing of the agreements, Dr Borg said bilateral relations were excellent and the two countries shared common views and experiences on a number of issues.

He said the two sides were discussing ways to strengthen their trade relations and open new opportunities for investment and tourism.

Spain will take up the presidency of the EU in the first half of 2010.

Agreements signed:

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Malta-Spain Joint Committee on Merchant Shipping. This agreement will be addressing the possibility for co-operation in international fora on matters related to maritime affairs and possibilities for research, technical cooperation and training in maritime transport, maritime safety, protection of the maritime environment, port state control and flag state implementation.

Cooperation between the Spanish Diplomatic School and Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC). This agreement will provide great benefits for training diplomats from both countries.

Cooperation Programme in the Areas of Culture, Education and Science for the term 2009-2012. The first cultural Agreement between Malta and Spain dates back to 1976, and since then, the ties regarding culture, education and science has grown strongly.

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Cultural Heritage. This Memorandum entails the exchange of specialists, information and documentation; cooperation in the fields of exhibitions, museology and cooperation in the dissemination of culture, cooperation in conservation and preservation of cultural heritage, protection of cultural property, and the promotion of culture and tourism in both countries.

Memorandum of Understanding regarding archives between Malta and the Kingdom of Spain. This Memorandum will ensure the setting up of projects for the identification, description and reproduction in microfilm and other digital formats of documents of interest to the common history of the two countries, in addition to the exchange of archival professionals through stays and technical assistance and the development of cultural and scientific activities leading to information and knowledge sharing.

Exchange Programme of Language Assistants between Malta and Spain. Such programme would be beneficial for both countries to forge closer ties in the knowledge of the two respective languages

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain also signed a Joint Statement to Strengthen the Cooperation between the two ministries. This Joint Statement is considered to be a confirmation of the excellent relations that Malta and the Kingdom of Spain have built over the centuries.