Malta has become a member of an independent international organisation that works to promote different ways that countries can safeguard against threats from other countries or third parties against a democratic country or institution, the government said.

The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats is based in Helsinki, Finland. Its mission is to strengthen its participating states' and organizations' security by providing expertise and training for countering hybrid threats.

The Centre's key task is to build its participating states' capabilities to prevent and counter hybrid threats. This is achieved by sharing best practices, providing recommendations, as well as testing new ideas and approaches. The centre also builds the operational capacities of the participating states by training practitioners and organizing hands-on exercises.

Participation in the centre's activities is open to all EU and NATO countries, and the number of participating states has grown to include 32 states today.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri was present when Malta was officially made a participant.

Camilleri said that Malta recognises the challenges for security at global level, and said that this challenges can be overcome if there is a united push from diverse countries.

"Malta is proud to come together with 31 other countries in this centre, and we look forward to our experts collaborating with other partners to address these realities. Malta, as a Mediterranean state, is open to conveying its experience and knowledge, particularly about the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, and is ready to serve as a neutral country open to diplomacy."