Police force, refugee commissioner to get €2 million investment for projects

Almost €2 million have been invested into four projects of aimed at enhancing security and integration of third country nationals by the Malta police force and the office of the refugee commissioner

Parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg
Parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg

The Malta police force and the office of the refugee commissioner will receive almost €2 million in investment for projects aimed at enhancing security as well as integration of third country nationals, according to parliamentary secretary for EU funds Ian Borg.

In a statement, Borg explained how the €2 million, of which 75% are coming from the EU, will be divided between the two authorities.

“€1.2 million will be awarded to the Malta police force under the Internal Security Funds programme 2014-2020 for two projects which aim at strengthening police capabilities regarding cyber-crime and integrating national police systems with international databases,” he said.

The two projects for the police force include access to Interpol and Europol databases and smart, Borg added.

“On the other hand, the two projects that will implemented by the office of the refugee commissioner aim to strengthen the asylum procedure under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2014-2020 and worth almost €800,000,” he said.

These reportedly include setting up of a unit that deals with requests related to regulation establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the member state responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in one of the member states by a third country national or stateless persons. This project is worth just over €100,000, according to Borg.

The other project to be undertaken by the office of the refugee commissioner involves improving and strengthening the asylum determination procedure through the training and funds for interpreters, conducting asylum interviews through Skype or videoconferencing and use of language analysis and document analysis. This project is reportedly worth over €640,000.

“The government is committed in securing more funding, both from local and other EU programmes,”  Borg said. “These projects are essential to implement and fulfill Malta’s strategic plan on internal security,” he added.”