Updated | PN disapprove of Malta’s decision not to join coalition against IS

The Nationalist Party hit out at the government’s decision not to form part of a global coalition against the Islamic State.

Reacting to the conclusions of an informal meeting of the European Council, the PN said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat failed to live up to his word, despite having promised to further reinforce action against terrorist threats.

“Joseph Muscat remains the only EU Prime Minister not to agree to form part of the global coalition against the Islamic State. In the light of the growing threat of the Islamic State in Libya, this is a matter of concern. It shows that when it comes down to it, Joseph Muscat's actions on the fight against terrorism do not match his words,” the PN said in a statement.

The PN said it was positive that the EU heads of state and government underlined the need to urgently adopt a strong and effective European Passenger Name Records directive with solid data protection safeguards.

“This is an important law enforcement tool that will help the sharing of information and has been an issue that the Nationalist Party delegation has been pushing from within the European Parliament,” the PN said.

Welcoming, the call to strengthen border control and security, within the Schengen area, the PN said that any measures should be undertaken in such a way so as not to come at the expense of free movement of law-abiding citizens. “Freedom of movement remains paramount and the fight against terrorism should not come at the expense of the freedoms enjoyed by law-abiding citizens.” 

The PN added that increased collaboration with third countries would help tackle security issues and counter-terrorism.

“The Nationalist Party underlines its disappointment that despite reports that human trafficking is helping to fund ISIL's growth in Libya and fears that human trafficking networks are facilitating terrorist movements, Joseph Muscat failed to secure any meaningful commitment to combating human trafficking in the Mediterranean during the summit.”

In a reaction, the government said it was disappointing that a PN member – MEP Roberta Metsola – was undermining the political consensus that existed between the two sides of the House during the past and current legislature.

Shadow foreign affairs minister Roberta Metsola this week pointed out that Mala was the only EU country not to form part of a global coalition against the Jihadist ogranisation.

The called on the Opposition “not to allow one person endanger the consensus that existed among the two sides for the past seven year, undermining political maturity”.

“Malta will continue working for consensus,” the government said.