On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stated that the requests being made by the United Kingdom are sensible ones, which, he said, Malta will support if properly refined.

The Prime Minister stated that there are two priorities for Malta in the ongoing European Council talks for an agreement with the United Kingdom. On the insistence of Malta, these are reflected in the latest text being discussed by EU leaders.

The priorities are that (1) Any agreement on social benefits cannot be limited to the UK, but needs to apply to any Member State with similar conditions; and (2) that there is a single set of rules for Euro and non-Euro countries, especially when it comes to the rules governing financial services and the Single Market.

EU leaders are due to resume talks at around 1.30pm today.

Photograph: DOU/Reuben Piscopo

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