Updated 12.20pm

A review of Malta's European Council presidency failed to attract many MEPs this morning, infuriating Commission President Jean-Claude Junker who branded the European Parliament "ridiculous".

Addressing a plenary session of the chamber in Strasbourg, Mr Junker scolded parliamentarians, saying that had it been German Chancellor Angela Merkel who had addressed them rather than Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the room would not have been mostly empty.

"There are only some 30 members here today, this shows how you are not taking this seriously. You are ridiculous, " he said.

His comments were quickly shot down by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani who asked him to change his tone.

However, Mr Junker stuck to his guns, saying that he would not be attending another such meeting ever again and that this was disappointing from MEPs.

In his brief address, Mr Junker praised the Maltese presidency, saying it had been a successful one all round.

The island, he said, had demonstrated its ability to sit at the negotiating table and see deals become a reality.

Malta's six-month stint at the helm of the Council of the European Union drew to a close last month and has been reviewed as a success.

The presidency received praise from European Council President Donald Tusk, who last month said it was one of the best experiences of his professional life.

MEPs weigh in

Dr Muscat sat through just over an hour of interventions from MEPs, who reviewed the Maltese presidency and its conclusions.

Among the statements:

David Casa (EPP) - "Today we are seeing how civil service workers who dedicated so much time to this have reached a high level of achievement."

Alfred Sant (S&D) - "This is a statement of fact and not a statement of 'feel good.' This success is the result of pain staking preparation"

Marlene Mizzi (S&D) -  "Despite the challenges, Malta has proven that it can punch above its weight and deliver its goals in the interest of Europe and its citizens."

Maite Pagazaurtundúa (ALDE) - "You have proven that a small country can handle big decisions."

"You out forward a highly ambitious text on money laundering - a matter which has not been resolved"

"The thousands and thousands of people arriving at our borders was the biggest thing at the start of your presidency. This is an unprecedented number of migrants. And let me be clear it is not Malta’s failure, but all of ours."

Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE-NGL) - "We have to put an end of fortress Europe. Despite the efforts of this presidency, cooperation in Mediterranean to save lives is at a dead end."

Philippe Lamberts (European Greens) - "Malta is part of a tax haven club. On fiscal justice, your government has fiscal certainty, there are problems here. Mr Muscat, with things like this, who would have thought you were a socialist."

This comment prompted a reply from Dr Muscat who said his administration stood for free healthcare, education, higher pensions, better social security, and civil rights. "I'll let you decide if that is social justice or not," he said.

Gilles Lebreton (National Front) - "The overview is a little dissapointing, Prime Minister. Yes there was an end to roaming, but we saw another failure on migration, despite it being a top priority from the start. Yes, you may have trained some Libyan coast guards, but still waves of migrants arriving every day. You also failed in the fight on money laundering, but of course Malta is a tax haven, it's like putting a pyromaniac in charge of putting out a fire." Mr Lebreton forms part of the European Parliament's Pana Committee. 

Estras Ferragut (EPP) - "Malta definitely shouldered the responsibility at a difficult time for Europe. We have seen the scourge of populism and what it can do. There are many challenges that remain."

Tanja Fajon (S&D) - "I know that you’ve done the best you could. You couldn’t do enough for those fleeing Libya, I do not blame Malta. I blame those that continue pointing at EU policy, while not committing to helping."

Gesine Meißner (ALDE) - "This was a success for a number of reasons not yet mentioned in this chamber. The maritime efforts were a great success with great conclusions. And the push for maternal health among refugee women - this shows this presidency was concerned about solidarity"

Sven Giegold (Greens) - "Malta cannot be blamed for the lack a solution on migration. Those that have spoken so sharply are so often the ones at fault.

"However, there was a failure when it came to the money laundering directive under this presidency. When it comes to financial crime, all of Europe needs to work together, rather than each member state trying to look out for its own interests."

Dr Muscat weighed in here, thanking Mr Geigold - a vocal critic of the Maltese government and member of the Pana Committee - for his comments.

Sean Kelly (EPP) - "Malta should be praised for its dedication, and efforts. Particularly on roaming charges, which was a huge dossier that it managed to get across the line"

A little big presidency

When it comes to presidencies it would seem size might matter after all, as Dr Muscat's comments that Malta was a small member state irked some MEPs.

One MEP from the UK, Eurosceptic Steven Woolfe, went as far as to say that Dr Muscat's comments insulted all those who had fought so hard to be given the George Cross.

A number of MEPs referred to Malta's size, saying, among other things, that the island had done well considering it's small size.

S&D MEP Miriam Dalli said she was offended that so many would mention the size of Malta as a factor, saying she expected the island to be reviewed on its performance at the negotiating table and not in landmass.

In his closing remarks, Dr Muscat said he had only briefly referred to Malta's small size, because it was a reality that it had to face when it came to the availability of resources.

"Who would have thought that a population the size of a small European city would have chaired so many meetings, and had an impact on people’s lives. That is the beauty of the European dream."

Europe, he said, was made up of small states "and states that have not yet realised that they are small. I believe that is our Europe."