The implementation of the Schengen Area Agreement in Malta will result in better national security and easier travelling for Maltese and other EU Schengen area citizens, said Interior Minister Tonio Borg yesterday.

Dr Borg was speaking at a meeting with interior ministers from the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia on the implementation of the SISone4ALL project.

The ministers met as a follow up to the SISone4ALL statement signed in Lisbon on 27 March. In a communal statement, the ministers noted with satisfaction the considerable efforts undertaken by the member states to “ensure the successful implementation of the SISone4All project, though the SISone4ALL software and technical assistance provided by the Portuguese Presidency”.

Continuing, the ministers said: “We consequently confirm our conviction that the SISone4ALL project will be successfully implemented and that controls and checks at the internal borders between the Schengen member states shall be lifted within the established timeframes, namely by the end of December 2007 for the sea and land borders and by the end of March 2008 for air borders.”

The ministers said they recognise the progress made fulfilling all the preconditions for the practical application of the relevant parts of the Schengen acquis and assume that a council decision shall be adopted between 8 and 9 November.

The statement concluded by affirming the willingness to, as far as possible, continue to extend ongoing mutual collaboration, initiated and developed during the German presidency, as regards future Schengen related commitments.

Addressing the media following the statement, Dr Borg said that although people will no longer have to go through passport control when travelling between Schengen countries, it will not mean that information exchange will end.

“Malta is a small country and prior to this agreement, we had to rely on our own and the intelligence of friendly countries. With this, we will be able to tap into the databanks of all Schengen area countries,” he said.

Dr Borg also announced that a celebration of joining the Schengen area will be organised in the future along with an accompanying information campaign. He also pointed out that Cyprus was not, at present, taking part due to the situation it has with Turkey. “People should also remember that the UK and Ireland do not form part of Schengen and consequently, travellers will still have to submit to passport control.”