European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has started a two-day official visit.

He was greeted by the Speaker, Michael Frendo, and called on President George Abela at the Palace in Valletta before holding a meeting with the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, where the discussion was expected to focus on the role of national parliaments in the EU decision-making process.

Mr Buzek, who is a former prime minister of Poland, praised Dr Frendo for his contribution to European integration and recalled how he had been the first Maltese to address the European Parliament when Malta still had observer status, in 2003.

Mr Buzek spoke of the EU as being a mosaic of member states which integrated and cooperated at different levels.

Mr Buzek will address the Maltese parliament this evening and will also have meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. He will also meet migrants at Balzan open centre.

See interview at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110124/local/opportune-for-malta-to-have-permanent-representative-at-ep