[WATCH] UK will remain Malta's 'very best friend' post-Brexit, defence secretary pledges

UK Secretary of Defence states that relations with Malta will not suffer due to Brexit

Brexit will not harm cooperation between Malta and the UK on security and military issues, British defence secretary Michael Fallon pledged.

"Threats to both our islands by mass migration and terrorism have increased, and in this context we must strengthen the ties that bund us together," Fallon said. "The UK is proud to be Malta's closest bilateral partner on defence and is proud that many Maltese servicemen and women have trained in the UK. We want to remain Malta's very best friend."

He was speaking at a press conference at the AFM's Haywharf maritime base, following talks on Mediterranean security with home affairs minister Carmelo Abela. 

Abela said that discussions focused on the migration crisis, terrorism, and beefing up the Libyan coastguard. 

"Malta was one of the first EU countries which committed itself to helping train the Libyan coastguard," he said, suggesting that Malta could offer expert training on search and rescue missions.

Fallon announced that the UK will deploy another ship to Operation Sophia, the EU's military operation to clamp down on human smuggling rings in the Mediterranean, insisting that his country will not become "part-time EU members" in the period between now and Brexit.