Two years after the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament is following the situation in Malta, following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, was again discussed this morning in Strasbourg. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE) and Sophia IN'T VELD (RE, NL).

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

IN 'T VELD, Sophia (Renew, NL)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

freedom of press and media (T)

GIEGOLD, Sven (Greens/EFA, DE)

EU - Malta (T)

Situation in Malta following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: extract from the debate

Title: Situation in Malta: - following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia (I-181262) 

<p>SOUNDBITE (English): Manfred WEBER, Chair of the EPP group: President and Honorouble members, the European Union cannot be silent to what is going on in the current days in Malta around the investigations to the assassination of the assasination of the journalist  Daphne Caruana Galicia and certainly not this Parliament, which Press room has her name. This week, two ministers and the chief of staff of the Prime Minister, Muscat, resigned over the recents shocking developments. All these people appeared in the investigations of Daphne Caruana Galicia before she was killed. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Muscat has protected them all this time and defended them again and again while attacking those, who wanted to expose them. The situation in Malta have consequences for the entire European project. I think this parliament needs to point out now more than ever to the Maltese authorities that the assasintion of journalists with clear political links must have clear political consequences. I have always seen this parliament raising its voice very high to claim the respect of rule of law and of the freedom of press to several governments in Europe. Today, it's time to do the same in the case of Malta, let's raise our voice together.</p>

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), The Socialists and Democrats group has always been, remains and always will on the side of the rule of law, that has always been the case without choosing who it suits is to stand by from one time to another. The rule of law works when suspects are arrested and legal proceedings are launched. And that is what has happened over the last week in Malta.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE), President, I would only like to make clear that it is crucial on the situation in Malta that this parliament sent an urgent mission in order to fact find what's happening. I thank President Weber for his work here and it's overdue that the prize which has been decided by the last parliament is finally installed for the freedom of journalism.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN&apos;T VELD (RE, NL), I'm speaking as the chair of the Rule of Law Monitoring Group, which met this morning. We are planning a visit to Malta, but we will be very clear. There will be not be any political interference or taking sides. We are not going to interfere in any police investigation or proceedings, but we will make sure that the European Parliament keeps the pressure up so that justice is done and the truth will come to light. And in that spirit, we will decide when and how to travel to Malta. Thank you.