Malta to keep best of relations with UK, Muscat tells May

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has insisted that Malta will be keeping the best of relations with the United Kingdom following its departure from the European Union.

Muscat was speaking during a meeting between UK Prime Minister Theresa May and himself on the sidelines of the EU council summit currently underway in Brussels.

During their meeting, the two heads of state discussed Brexit, and the effects this would have on the two countries, said the government in a statement.

“The Maltese Prime Minister said that Malta will keep the best of relations with the UK. He stressed that the [Brexit] deal needed to be one that did not put any European Union member states at a disadvantage, but should also be a sensible one,” read the statement.

During the summit, which ends tomorrow, EU leaders will look at a number of issues, including defence, migration, foreign affairs, social issues, education and culture. Brexit is also on the agenda.

May is expected to urge EU leaders to move Brexit negotiations to the next stage during the council meeting, after confirmation from Michel Barnier, the EU Chief Negotiator, that sufficient progress had been made during the first phase of negotiations.