No space for new Brexit negotiations but clarifications possible, Joseph Muscat says

Re-opening the Brexit deal concluded last month is not an option but there could be more clarification on the existing agreement, Joseph Muscat said.

The Prime Minister insisted on Tuesday morning that government was following developments in the UK but would desist from intruding on sovereign decisions taken by the British.

“Our message as a government is unequivocal – we believe the agreement reached between the EU and the UK is the best possible one, and we don’t think there is any space for further negotiations, but there can be more clarification made on the existing agreement,” the Prime Minister said.

He was speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting being held at Transport Malta’s offices in Lija.

We also want British citizens to know that, even in the case of a no-deal Brexit, they will be able to continue living in Malta without any problems Joseph Muscat

Muscat said government will keep discussing how to best prepare for any possible outcome – be it the Brexit agreement going through, or any other scenario – to ensure there will be no impact on Malta.

“I also want to put the minds of Maltese people in the UK at rest that we will work to avoid any negative repercussions. We also want British citizens to know that, even in the case of a no-deal Brexit, they will be able to continue living in Malta without any problems,” Muscat said.

His comments follow the extraordinary developments on Monday when an embattled Theresa May decided to call off today’s Brexit vote in parliament. The vote was unlikely to pass.

She told MPs that she would seek further re-assurances from Brussels on the Irish backstop agreement, which has been a central bone of contention for many MPs.

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