Malta is to receive assistance of €7.3 million under the EU's External Borders Fund, the government said today. Much of the sum will be used for the purchase of a new maritime patrol aircraft byt he AFM.

The Fund provides financial support to member states for border management, including in implementing the provisions of the Schengen acquis in relation to checks at the borders and the issuance of visas.

The assistance was given the green light when the European Commission adopted Malta's Annual Programme for 2009 that will be co-funded by the External Borders Fund. The €7.3 million will be used by the Armed Forces of Malta as the entity responsible for the surveillance and patrol of maritime borders. A maritime patrol aircraft equipped with electronic equipment for the surveillance of the maritime borders and for the exchange of real time information will be co-financed (75% of the total cost) by the Fund.

"This investment will enhance the border control capabilities of the AFM and their capability to detect, identify and coordinate operations in case of unauthorized crossing of the maritime border," the government said.

Projects under two previous Annual Programmes included the purchase of patrol boats, equipment for the Immigration Section within the Malta Police Force and projects to enable the issuance of Schengen visas in line with EU rules from Malta's consular representations abroad.