The two Syrians who were caught in Italy using false documents to travel to Malta did not have photos of ISIS flags on their mobile phone, as reported by sections of the Italian and Maltese media, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.

So far, information reaching the Maltese government showed that the two had no ulterior motives other than to travel here using false passports, he said.

The two Syrians had a Norwegian and Austrian passport, but they raised suspicions at the Bergamo airport because they were talking in Arabic. They were arrested and charged in court with using false documents.

Addressing a MEUSAC meeting on the subject of the upcoming EU Summit in December, Dr Muscat said: “There are many fake documents circulating within the EU and the Italians have to establish whether these two Syrians were just trying to travel using fake passports or if they had other intentions. But from the information we have so far this does not seem to be the case.”

Dr Muscat said that one of the men caught had a picture of fighter in Syria. “I can understand what must be going through people’s minds at the moment. The same goes through my mind, both as a politician and a father. However we should not give in to sensationalism and speculation.”

Quizzed by journalists after the meeting, Dr Muscat said the Italian authorities were still interrogating the two men.  “The latest information that came from the Italians late last night shows that there were no indications of relationship with ISIS.”

Dr Muscat said one of the men had a photo of a man holding a Kalashnikov. “He is saying that the man in the picture is a relative who was fighting for the Syrian opposition forces. The Italians found no signs of links to ISIS but they are still erring on the side of caution and interrogating these two people.”

Dr Muscat said all border checks and controls were in place to prevent unwanted individuals from travelling to or leaving Malta. “Malta is in contact with different security services which are providing the names of people who can be deemed dangerous. No such name has been flagged in Malta so far.”

Dr Muscat said this latest development showed how wise it was to keep the border checks in place. “These checks will be retained until CHOGM and, if need be, even after that. If the information changes we will analyse the situation and I would be prepared to keep these checks in place.”Dr Muscat reiterated that CHOGM would proceed as planned seeing that there were no known threats.  

Dr Muscat also referred to last week’s terror attacks in Paris. “Some months ago it was an attack on freedom of expression. This time it was an attack on European lifestyle.”

France will today propose stricter border controls, he said. “From what we have seen so far these controls do not restrict the right to freedom of movement and we have no issue with them.” Dr Muscat said EU governments had to ensure their citizens’ safety without going to extremes.   

“Europe is experiencing a phenomenon where many of its youths are turning to radicalisation. This is a certificate of the failure of the policies of inclusion and the idea of ghettoization and the creation of subcultures.”

Dr Muscat said the upcoming EU Summit would also focus heavily on the UK’s demand for a renegotiate of its European membership. UK Prime Minister David Cameron would be holding technical bilateral meetings in the coming days. Dr Muscat said Malta agreed in broad terms with that request as flexibility was, from Malta’s experience, a positive thing. However it would not be acceptable to grant concessions to just one country. “This should not be an in-and-out where those outside the Eurozone have more room to manoeuvre.” Malta, he said, would also keep pushing for the completion of the single market and oppose treaty changes.