Last week on the 23rd of February 2021, Maltese MEP and first vice-President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, will be in charge of leading an investigation regarding charges of corruption levelled against the European Union’s border agency, Frontex.
Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. It is a critical component of Europe’s efforts to protect the freedom, protection, and justice of its people. Frontex’s assistance at the external borders ensures that people can move freely without the internal border checks that many of us take for granted.
The agency has faced criticism after accusations of corruption and harassment, as well as reports that it aided in the deportation of refugees, which is illegal under international law.
MEPs have indeed initiated their own investigation into the organisation, which will be led by Metsola. Her nomination was backed by all of the European Parliament’s main political groups. Fourteen MEPs will be part of the investigation committee, where they will submit a report to parliament within four months.
The first meeting of the Frontex Scrutiny Group (FSWG) has taken place yesterday with Commissioner Ylva Johansson and agency’s Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri.
ESO - European Studies Organisation 