Taxation ‘no-go-zone’ for Malta, Muscat tells Cameron

Although Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has made it clear to UK Prime Minister David Cameron that Malta would oppose any renegotiations of the EU packages and Treaty changes by stealth, he also called for "flexibility" in calls.

A government spokesman said that the exchange of views was made during a phone call held on Wednesday between the two leaders.

Migration also featured in the talks, with the position being that “we expect solidarity”, the spokesman said.

The regulation on taxation is a red line that Malta doesn’t want crossed. “Taxation must remain the competence of the individual member states,” the spokesman said.

Good call with @David_Cameron on UK's future in the EU and the process during the months to come -JM #Malta

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) June 25, 2015

Amid a debate in Britain on ‘benefits tourism’, Malta told the UK that any decisions on benefits should not be imposed by the EU on the member states and – more importantly – that the changes do not impinge on the freedom of movement.

In doorstep comments today, European Council President Donald Tusk said: “One thing should be clear from the very beginning: the fundamental values of the European Union are not for sale and, non-negotiable.”

On his part, Cameron described this evening’s planned talks on the UK’s call for an EU reform as “a significant milestone”.

“It is right to address the concerns and doubts the British might have over the EU … and they should have the final say … whether we stay in and reform the EU or leave.”