Roberta Metsola appointed Vice-President of important European Parliament Committee

Member of the European Parliament for Malta, Roberta Metsola, has been appointed Vice-President of the prestigious European Parliament Committee that is charged with being the voice of Europe's citizens.

After only a year as a Member of the Committee, Dr Metsola has now been promoted to Vice-President of the Petitions Committee (PETI), which is the Committee responsible for investigating and finding remedies for European citizens' claims.

The right to petition is a right enshrined in the Treaty on European Union and PETI is the Committee that seeks to find non-judicial solutions for citizens' petitions when these are considered to be admissible.

For the people of Malta, the Committee took on a central role earlier this year, when Dr Metsola presented a petition, backed by thousands of Maltese, on the proposed gas tanker that will be moored in Marsaxlokk Bay.

Dr Metsola thanked the PN delegation in the European Parliament for their support and help in securing the appointment, which is the first time that a Nationalist MEP has been selected as a President or Vice-President of an EP Committee.

"I am honoured with the appointment and I appreciate the responsibility that comes with it. This is the Committee that is closest to the citizen and one that has a direct role in empowering and giving a voice to Europe's citizens . Even one person alone can submit a petition for consideration and I know just how important the role of the Committee can be in protecting the best interests of the people I represent." said Dr Metsola

"At a time when the people of Europe feel somewhat disconnected from the decision-making process at EU level, this Committee can play an important role in getting people involved and I will use this position to be the link between citizens and the European Union. It is time for people to have a greater say in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods", added Dr Metsola.

The appointment means that Dr Metsola will form part of the leadership of the Committee and will play a key role in the negotiations between the different Political Groups represented within it.

PETI is one of three Committees that Dr Metsola will sit on, after having also been confirmed to continue as a Member on the EP's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committees.