Updated | Prime Minister in talks with European Council President

Taxation policy should remain the prerogative of individual member states, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told European Council President Donald Tusk.

He insisted that taxation remained the sole competence of member states, as specified in EU treaties.

Muscat, currently in Brussels for a Council meeting, held a private meeting with Tusk during which taxation, the future of the Eurozone, Ukraine and Libya were discussed.

The PM also held a meeting with European Commissioner Karmenu Vella.

On Monday, the Heads of State or Government expressed their concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine.

“We condemn the killing of civilians during the indiscriminate shelling of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on 24 January 2015. We note evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility. We urge Russia to condemn the separatists' actions and to implement the Minsk agreements,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

Following the terrorist attack on the Corinthia Hotel of Tripoli, Muscat said the situation was deteriorating and greater attention should be given by the European Union.

“Europe has to take a stand on how the situation is developing in Libya and there exists agreement among European countries, including Italy and France,” Muscat said.