Plans announced by EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso for the nomination of a Commissioner with direct responsibilities for immigration were welcomed today by MEP Simon Busuttil.

In an address to the European Parliament before being re-elected for a second term, Barroso said that he would create a Commissioner responsible specifically for Internal Affairs and Immigration and a separate one responsible for Justice, Human Rights and Civil Liberties. Currently all these areas are covered by just one Commissioner.

Dr Busuttil, who leads the EPP group on justice and home affairs, called upon Mr Barroso to invest more energy on delivering a Europe of Justice, Freedom and Security.

"Europe is not just about the single market", he said, "There is also the citizenship dimension which is equally important." Dr Busuttil said that citizens were directly affected by issues such as citizens' rights, visas, free movement, the fight against criminality, terrorism and also the fight against illegal immigration.

He welcomed Mr Barroso's intention to appoint two separate Commissioners dealing with justice and human rights on the one hand and with internal affairs and immigration on the other, stating that this could bring about renewed energy in setting up a European space of justice, freedom and security.

He called on the Commission to team up with the European Parliament to put citizens at the centre of Europe. "Let's work for a Europe of the citizens; a Europe that defends citizens' rights, that protects their freedom and their security," Dr Busuttil concluded.