In his usual style of sowing doubts about whatever the Prime Minister says or does, Simon Busuttil has said an emphatic ‘no’ to the announcement that the government intends to keep Schengen rules suspended until the new ones being contemplated by the EU are known.

The new Schengen rules being considered are a direct result of the fact that terrorists have succeeded in moving between EU member states much more easily then when there were controls in place.

In fact, as soon as Schengen rules were suspended, a racket was uncovered: a number of Syrians were coming to Malta from Italy with fake documents.

Although in this case nothing has been found which connects this racket to terrorism, there is no guarantee that persons with ulterior motives could not also come if we reopen our borders with no controls on arrivals from EU countries as per the existing Schengen rules.

According to the leader of the Opposition, suspending Schengen will take away the right of freedom of movement the Maltese people acquired. He speaks as if the Maltese people will not be able to travel to Europe,

At the same time, he appealed to the Prime Minister to ensure that Malta and the Maltese people’s security are given top priority.

To what does Busuttil give priority? To the freedom to travel without a passport or to the security of Malta and the Maltese people in these troubled times?

Besides, the suspension of Schengen is a temporary measure until new rules are in place in order to counter terrorism in a much more effective way.

Instead of criticising the Prime Minister, Busuttil should have commended him for giving priority to our people’s security.