The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, has called Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to explain his position and to hear his opinion on Cameron’s proposals.
Mr Cameron is set to discuss the British referendum during today’s Council which is soon going to start.
International media have reported that Cameron wants a four-year bar on benefits, including in-work benefits, being claimed by migrants from the rest of the EU. Cameron wants this in order to stop “benefits tourism”.
He also wants to reduce EU regulation and even a repatriation of some powers from Brussels and an effort to complete the single market in areas like the energy markets.
In this regard, Malta will not accept any treaty changes, however will be flexible on certain issues, a government source said.
He continued that Malta does not have an issue with countries being able to regulate their own benefits, as long as it does not impinge on freedom of movement
Cameron was said to have called up all leaders prior to the Summit talks.