EU's Brexit chief negotiator vouches to protect EU27 unity

Malta wants a fair deal for the United Kingdom in its negotiations to exit the European Union, according to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Muscat was addressing Michel Barnier, chief negotiator in charge of leading the European Commission's task force for the preparation and conduct of negotiations with the UK under Article 50, whom he welcomed at Castille on Thursday.

Malta will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU in January, with the UK expected to trigger Article 50 in February, allowing formal Brexit negotiations to commence. The meeting took place as news broke from Britain that a High Court ruled that parliament, not government, should trigger the exit process. The UK government is expected to appeal.

Muscat said that Malta, the EU's smallest member state, had very close historic ties to the UK.

"But we have always made it clear that any deal with the UK should be inferior to full membership," he said.

"The core fundamental principles of the EU should not be compromised."

Barnier said that he would be representing the interests of the EU27 - the other 27 member states - in the Brexit negotiations.

"My only red line is the unity of the EU27 and the interests of the EU27," he said.