MEP Roberta Metsola has today called on the new Finnish Presidency of the European Council to join efforts in demanding Malta hold an independent public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Speaking in the European Parliament during a debate on the Presidency priorities with Finnish Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, MEP Metsola said that freedom of the press is intrinsically tied to the proper functioning of the rule of law and respect for democracy.

Metsola, who is also the EPP Coordinator on these issues – stated, “Europe has seen two journalists assassinated with Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jan Kuciak both being brutally killed within months of each other. The Council of Europe has insisted on an independent inquiry that should be launched this month and Member States should join the call to ensure justice too.”

Finnish Ministers in their reply said that protection of the rule of law is essential in every Member State and the Presidency will be proposing a rule of law mechanism and annual report to analyse just that.

Speaking on the subject of migration, MEP Metsola reiterated that a system that provides certainty for search, rescue and disembarkation was sorely needed along with a concrete set of measures that allow for the sharing of responsibility between all Member States.

“This is not a situation that can or should be handled solely by Mediterranean States like Malta, Italy, Greece or Spain. We must do better,” she said.

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