Be the first to comment!€112 million for Malta to help fight against illegal immigration
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The European Commission this afternoon announced that it was adopting the multi-annual programme for Malta’s External Borders Fund for 2007-2013 worth €112 million along with the annual programmes for 2007 and 2008 worth €5.6 million and €9.7 million respectively.
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici welcomed the Commission’s announcement and said that this assistance will help boost Malta’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. He said that this was proof that the Union heeds and reacts to the difficulties faced by its members.
The aim of the External Borders Fund is to support the protection of EU external borders through co-operation among authorities and the establishment of common rules and practices to facilitate both a secure border as well as smooth movement of legal travellers at the borders.
The projects that will be funded under the €5.6 million allocated for the 2007 annual programme under the External Borders Fund include the purchase of technical equipment for the Police Corps’ Immigration Section and training in its use as well, as the purchase of equipment to be used in patrol and surveillance duties such as land vehicles and inshore crafts. Communications infrastructure for the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and additional equipment to bring the cruise passenger terminal in line with the Schengen Acquis will also be financed under this programme.
The projects that will be funded under the 2008 annual programme include the purchase of four inshore vessels for the AFM and investment in IT systems to finalise the migration to the Schengen Information System II operated by the Immigration Section.
The approval of the multi-annual programme for the External Borders Fund means that all three funds managed by the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs on behalf of the European Commission have been adopted. The Commission had earlier adopted a €4.8 million programme for projects chosen under the European Refugee Fund and a further €5 million for projects chosen under the Return Fund.
