Malta should participate in “non-military” action against Islamic State because neutrality does not hinder the fight against terrorism, Shadow Foreign Minister Roberta Metsola said.

She said Malta was the only EU country not to form part of a global coalition against the Jihadist organisation.

Dr Metsola is calling on the government to immediately take part in “certain efforts” against IS.

“Pretending the threat does not exist will not make it go away... The government’s decision not to join the coalition is questionable to say the least,” Dr Metsola said.

Such action, however, should not include military involvement, she added. “Our possible involvement could include political, logistical and humanitarian support,” she said.

The government had declined to form part of the international anti-Islamic State coalition when it was set up by the US last year.

Back then the government had denied reports in the international press that it had entered into a “commitment” to assist the coalition.

Asked why Malta had become the only EU member state not to join the coalition, Foreign Minister George Vella said that despite the neutrality laid down in the Constitution, Malta still had a role to play. 

Dr Vella had said the government had condemned the IS terror attacks and would be offering humanitarian support as it was “morally obliged” to do.

Asked why Malta had not joined the coalition, the foreign ministry did not reply.

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