Closing the Twinning Malta on the Schengen Information System. Prospecting a Security Collaboration

Under the project, the Italian Ministry of the Interior with the contribution of its experts from the SIRENE office, supported the Malta Police Force in their approaching migration to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) which will replace SISOne4All.
Following the implementation of SISOne4All to the SIRENE Bureau, Malta had to adopt measures to bring the national system in line with its commitments under the Schengen Convention and the European Convention.
In this regard, the final events contributed to emphasizing these aspects and outlined the positive results achieved under the activities carried out.
On one hand, the final seminar “New Scenario Awareness Seminar” which took place in the Maltese Police Academy in Valletta on 11 November, focused on the added value which characterised the project: Two Sirene experts, Police Senior Inspector Ms Evija Danilova from Latvia and Lt Colonel Mr Elias Boubouris from Greece, were invited to outline the experience of the two Member States. Mr Sandro Zarb, Superintendent of the International Relation Unit, opened the seminar. Mr Trevor Sammut from ICT Department and Mr Mario Cuschieri, BC Project Leader, presented the SIS II Local Scenario and Mr Claudio Schettini, MC Project Leader, described the Implementing SIS II Regulation.
On the other hand, on the occasion of the final conference on 12 November, the high-level representatives of the Twinning partners, the Italian Ministry of the Interior and the Maltese Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, presented the results of the project and thanked Formez experts, Natasa Margetic and Riccardo Coletta, for the positive support given under the project activities. Following, Mr Giuseppe Lanzillotti, Head of the Italian Sirene Office, Mr Sandro Zarb as well as Mr Godwin Xuereb, Director of EU Directorate of the Maltese Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, closed the conference by expressing the wish to find new opportunities for future collaboration between the two countries.