Malta workshop explores ways to strengthen border security co-operation between OSCE Mediterranean Partners and participating States

VALETTA, 17 November 2016 – Successful models of regional co-operation to address border challenges were highlighted at a three-day OSCE workshop held in Valetta, Malta from  15 to 17 November 2016, bringing together 80 experts from national authorities and international organizations from OSCE Mediterranean Partner for Co-operation countries and OSCE participating States.

The workshop aimed to explore new avenues for advancing OSCE engagement with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation in the area of border security and management.  One of the chief outcomes was to establish a contact network for the Mediterranean Partners to serve as a platform for communication and information exchange between the Partners and the OSCE on border security and management.

“The scale of migratory movement has raised a lot of questions about the existing regulations and the adequacy of the national and international tools to deal with migration-related challenges,” said Gudrun Sraega, Germany’s Ambassador to Malta, who represented Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship at the event.  

Paul Caruana, Director of Studies at the Academy for Disciplined Forces of Malta, said: “Issues related to migration have and will remain a concern. We must pave the way for ‘thinking outside the box’ solutions that would increase co-operation in the region.”