Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS
Brussels.
30. 05. 2017
Ares(2017)
Dear Mr. Farrugia. I deeply regret not being able to come to the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the EU taking place today in Malta. Unfortunately, I was informed yesterday about the death of the former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis, a great European statesman, with whom I have worked closely for many years as head of his diplomatic cabinet. His death marks the closing of an important political chapter in the recent political history of Greece, as it is acknowledged by the whole political class. I have been asked to represent President Juncker and the European Commission at the funeral ceremonies, and had to return to Athens. I know that migration is one of the priorities of the Maltese presidency and it would have been a pleasure for me to present the comprehensive European policy on migration implemented by the Commission to fight smugglers, traffickers and ensure the return of the illegally staying third-country nationals. National parliaments have a crucial role to play in implementing a coherent European response to the migration challenges taking into account the situation in each Member State. I would also like to assure you that I will participate to the next meeting of the COSAC during the Estonian presidency. Please accept my sincere apologies, and know that the COSAC and national parliaments can always count on my full support. Yours sincerely.
Hon. Angelo Farrugia MP Speaker of the House of Representatives House of Representatives Parliament of Malta