On 22 June 2023, H.E. Dr Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe, invested with full powers on behalf of the Maltese Government, signed the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence, also known as the Budapest Convention, in the presence of Mr Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

This Additional Protocol provides innovative tools for strengthening cooperation on cybercrime and the disclosure of electronic evidence across borders, subject to a strong system of human rights and rule of law safeguards including for the protection of personal data. Through this legal instrument, the Convention on Cybercrime is brought up to date to meet new challenges of cybercrime and electronic evidence in order to remain relevant and effective for years to come.