Two students, Aimee Mallia and Anthea Ellul, accompanied by two teachers from St Ignatius College Middle School, Tal-Ħandaq, Qormi, visited the European Parliament and European Council in Brussels as part of the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme.

During the visit the students interviewed MEP Roberta Metsola, who chairs the EU Asylum Contact Group. Dr Metsola briefed the students about seven legislative proposals prepared by the Commission that are currently being negotiated with the European Parliament.

The biggest piece of legislation was the fourth amendment of the Dublin Regulation – Dublin IV – where there is a renewed effort to alleviate the disproportionate burden of hosting asylum seekers and refugees that Member States on Europe’s periphery have to bear.

Asked if the upcoming Maltese EU presidency could be a springboard for further discussions on migration, Dr Metsola replied: “There is no doubt that migration will be the core legislative work that will be done in our presidency.” She added that other priorities will be issues related to the Mediterranean and maritime affairs.