Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil will lead a European Parliament delegation to the Libyan border with Tunisia – the first of its kind since the start of the Libyan conflict.

The delegation, comprising seven MEPs representing all the political groups in the EP, will be dispatched to witness the situation in Tunisian refugee camps on the border with Libya where many migrants fleeing the country are currently staying.

During its mission, the EP's delegation is expected to visit the UNHCR camps in the border villages of Choucha and Ramada and also the refugee camp set up by Qatar in Tataouine to discuss the current situation with UNHCR field workers, border authorities and migrants who have escaped Libya.

The delegation will also be visiting the main point of the departure of migrants from Tunisia into Europe and meeting key government ministers in the Tunisian administration.

During the past weeks, the EU has already allocated some €100 million to help border regions in Tunisia cope with the migration pressures. Malta also contributed its part by sponsoring Air Malta flights to take people fleeing from the conflict, particularly Sub-Saharan Africans back to their countries.

Speaking to timesofmalta.com, Dr Busuttil said the EP has been at the forefront of Europe's efforts to cope with the situation in Libya and with its repercussions, especially on migration flows.

"Our visit will help us witness at first-hand what the EU is doing and what can be done better," he said.

"As a Maltese MEP I am honoured to be leading this mission on this important task."

Dr Busuttil, who is also the EPP's coordinator for the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee in the EP, was unanimously elected by MEPS to serve as the head of this delegation during a first preparatory meeting held this week in Strasbourg.

The delegation is set to take place at the end of this month, however owing to the evolving security situation in Libya, the dates might be reviewed.