Malta's sixth MEP, Joseph Cuschieri this morning harshly criticised the European Parliament and the European Union for dragging their feet over the issue of new MEPs.

The 18 new MEPs from 12 countries, including Mr Cuschieri, were elected as a result of the redistribution of EP seats foreseen under the Treaty of Lisbon.

Yesterday, the EP announced it was preparing to welcome the new MEPs before the end of this year as 22 member states had ratified the relevant provisions of the Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Cuschieri said this morning that it was shameful that the new MEPs had not yet been called in as observers in the EP. It was also shameful that the EP had not hastened the EU countries to ratify the protocol without any more delays.

He said that the EU should be ashamed that the people's mandate was not being respected.

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