European member states must unite in common position on Brexit, ministers say

European Affairs Minister Helena Dalli and Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation Josep Borrel called for EU member states to stand united in a common position on Brexit on Friday.

The two ministers also reiterated their commitment to mandatory relocation mechanisms for migrants in a meeting in Valletta on Friday.

The ministers talked about current issues within the EU, and the future course of the Union, giving particular attention to Brexit, migration and multiannual financial framework – a seven-year framework regulating the EU's annual budget.

Together Dalli and Borrell agreed that the EU must stand united in the common position of the 27 Member States of Brexit, along with standing united on issues of migration. In this regard, the Ministers underlined that the current situation is not tenable and agreed that they could no longer take ad hoc decisions for each as the ships arrived.

Dalli and Borrell also reiterated their commitment to mandatory relocation mechanism agreed between the Member States, with the aim of sending the message to citizens across the European Union that a fair settlement based on the principle of solidarity responsibility is needed. 

Lastly, the ministers talked about the need for sustainable investment in the African continent to build resilience while the reality of irregular migration must be addressed at its source.

Dalli also reiterated the importance of sound cohesion policy for Malta.