Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday evening inaugurated the new arrivals area at Malta International Airport, the first concrete step towards compliance and Malta's full adherence to the Schengen Treaty.

Malta is expected to fully comply with the treaty by the first quarter of 2007.

The new arrivals area is the first phase of the Lm1.8 million project that Malta International Airport has embarked upon to comply with Schengen requirements.

The original aesthetics of the existing building were maintained and the new area has been developed to meet modern practices and to improve the flow of passengers.

Incoming passengers are greeted by local characteristics such as the typical masonry and natural light that define indigenous scenery.

The building is a virtual walk-through experience that introduces incoming passengers to the thousands of years of Maltese history. MIA entrusted Heritage Malta to create a number of historical artefacts and three-dimensional installations which are exhibited to depict some of Malta's renowned monuments.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi unveiled a contemporary sculpture by artists Celia Borg Cardona and Francesca Balzan to mark the inauguration of the new arrivals area.

Using the theme “Freedom of Movement” as their point of departure, the two artists developed a concept based on the most free of living organisms, free to travel in any direction anywhere, without boundaries or restrictions. As a result, the work of art proposed integrates the essence of “Freedom” with “Movement” which is the objective of the Schengen Treaty.

The second phase of the project is due to commence shortly whereby the existing arrivals area will become an extension of the Departures Lounge. Most of the services will be relocated to give way to an additional four gates which will also create space for new retail outlets.

MIA chairman Michael Hoferer and chief executive officer Peter Bolech accompanied the Prime Minister for a walk-around of the new premises. Also present for the inauguration were Justice Minister Tonio Borg, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea as well as Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone and CEO Antoinette Caruana.