An ad-hoc delegation of six MEPs, led by Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil is on a fact-finding mission in Tunisia to visit refugee camps on the Libyan border and meet representatives of local authorities, international organisations and NGOs.

Tomorrow, the delegation will have meetings with the Tunisian prime minister and other ministers.

The aim is to discuss the plight of refugees and the implications for the European Union, notably as regards migration.

"We are going to the Libyan border to see the situation of fleeing refugees for ourselves. The fight for democracy in Libya is causing temporary side effects such as the considerable numbers of people fleeing the country.

"Europe must address the challenges posed by this situation, particularly the treatment of refugees, humanitarian aid as well as the impact on migration towards Europe

"The people escaping Libya also raise issues for Tunisia, which is already under severe pressure for other reasons", Simon Busuttil told timesofmalta.com.

"Europe cannot stay put in the face of these realities and our delegation will help us understand better how we can help alleviate the situation. We are doing this by talking directly to the refugees, to the international organisations running their camps and to the Tunisian authorities", he said.

Watch video from Tunisia