EU earmarks €22 mln for Cyprus border controls

The European Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the External Borders Fund 2007-2013 for Cyprus for an estimated amount of EUR 22 mln.
"With the approval of this multiannual programme, Cyprus has shown its commitment to the establishment of the common integrated border management system, ensuring both high quality controls and flexible border control traffic," said Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot.
Projects financed in the 2007 and 2008 programmes in Cyprus include new monitoring devices at airports and ports, e-passport readers and security equipment for consulates.
Cyprus has chosen to implement four of the Fund's five strategic priorities on common border management systems, the issue of visas and tackling illegal immigration by consular services of member states in third countries, the establishment of IT systems on external borders and visas (VIS and SIS), and the application of community rules on external borders and visas, in particular the Schengen Borders Code and the European Code on Visas.
The overall budget of External Borders Fund for 2007-2013 is EUR 1.82 bln.