Maltese MEPs Roberta Metsola and Miriam Dalli are satisfied with the performance given by Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Commissioner designate for Migration and Home Affairs. Mr Avramopoulos is currently being "grilled" in the EP in Brussels. The session is expected to last at around 4.30pm.

In exclusive comments to The Malta Independent, Dr Metsola said Mr Avramopoulos was very well prepared to answer questions and had even impressed in his opening speech. The PN MEP opened the Q&A session. "I asked about two subjects: migration and asylum. On the first I asked Mr Avramopoulos what he intends to do to stop the tragedies in the Mediterranean. On Asylum I asked whether he would be willing to review the Dublin regulations, which currently put more pressure on southern countries, including Malta. The Commissioner said he is willing to do so. "

Dr Metsola said she was very satisfied with Mr Avramopoulos' answer. "We have to wait and see how the relevant committees will appraise him but he is doing very well and I think he will be a good Commissioner."

PL MEP Miriam Dalli also noted that the Greek Commissioner designate came to Brussels well prepared. "He is emphasising on the need for greater solidarity between member states and also on the need for resettlement programmes, which have always encountered some kind of obstacle in the past. The fact that he is Greek could also help him understand the problem better."

Dr Dalli said she was satisfied that Mr Avramopoulos had mentioned the issue of unaccompanied migrant children. Her question will be about Frontex Plus, or Operation Triton. "There are  a number of questions that need to be answered. How many assets will this operation have? What will its budget be? Will it only serve to enforce border controls or will it also include the Search and Rescue aspect?