Systematic checks on travellers at airports and seaports should not be ruled out in order to enhance European security, according to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
Malta will not oppose changes to Schengen rules in the wake of heightened European security concerns at Thursday’s informal meeting of EU heads of government, he told The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday.
“The priority should remain to use the existing Schengen framework, which allows for increased ad hoc checks at borders.
“However, we should not rule out the option of a targeted proposal to amend the Schengen Border Code to reinforce external borders.”
Checks would have to be based on a set of common risk indicators
Schengen countries impose no border controls on travellers to make transiting between countries easier. But the system came under fire in the wake of the Paris terrorist attack on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo last month.
Dr Muscat said changes to the Schengen rules could lead to systematic checks on individuals against the different databases. “Such checks would have to be based on a set of common risk indicators,” he added.
Although Thursday’s meeting is likely to be overshadowed by the Greek government’s refusal to adhere to a bailout programme – this would be the new Greek prime minister’s first heads of government meeting – the government expects a statement on security.
Security concerns have taken on more significance for Malta after the Maltese-owned Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli was targeted by terrorists two weeks ago.
Call for EU statement on security
On a visit in Berlin last Wednesday, Dr Muscat underlined the need to put Libya on the agenda in a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the North African State descended into further turmoil.
“We expect a statement on security and a clear commitment by the European Council with regard to measures aimed at ensuring the security of our citizens,” Dr Muscat said yesterday.
This commitment should seek to engage more with countries in the EU’s neighbourhood, which in Malta’s case specifically includes Libya, he added.
Widespread concern over a possible terrorist attack on Malta was fuelled last week by reports in certain sections of the media that quoted an obscure news site based in San Marino that claimed Islamic State militants in Libya and Tunisia wanted to shower Italy, Malta and Spain with missiles.
The government immediately denied the claims, insisting there was no intelligence suggesting missiles were pointed towards Malta or any other Mediterranean country.
However, the news reports coincided with the arrival of seven British fighter jets, which were in transit to the Arab Gulf (see panel, right), which fuelled the speculation.
The jets were on a routine stop and had been granted permission at the start of January.
Dr Muscat yesterday reiterated the security forces remained “vigilant and prepared” but insisted they had not received any specific threat from any terrorist group.
“While the terrorist threat is real for the whole world, there is no room for unjustified alarmism domestically. As already said, at present there is no intelligence suggesting otherwise.”
Fighter jets not unusual
When seven British fighter jets landed at Malta International Airport last Tuesday many speculated their presence was linked to a terrorist threat.
But it was only misfortune that the jets landed on the same day that speculative media reports claimed terrorist missiles were directed towards Malta.
Fear and concern spread like wildfire despite the government’s explanation that the Royal Air Force jets had been scheduled to make a stopover since January. For many, the sight of fighter jets in Malta may have been disconcerting, especially at a time of heightened terrorist awareness.
However, this was not the first time fighter jets landed in Malta as they transited between countries.
Research shows that last year alone more than 10 fighter aircraft landed at MIA as they transited from the UK to Saudi Arabia. The military jets were new aircraft purchased by Saudi Arabia and they stopped over for one night for refuelling purposes.
In November another five British fighter jets stopped over in Malta as they returned to the UK from the Arabian Gulf.
These figures exclude other military aircraft such as transport planes and helicopters that are regular visitors at MIA.
Aircraft enthusiasts said the type of fighter jets that landed in Malta throughout 2014 and last week – Typhoon aircraft – were air-to-air combat planes and not the type to be involved in aerial bombardments of IS ground positions in Syria and Iraq.
It is very common for UK fighter pilots to travel to the Arab Gulf for training purposes, they pointed out.