The government has announced that it has withdrawn its bid to host the European Medicines Agency. In a statement, it said that he decision was taken "following extensive discussions with the European Medicines Agency and other national competent authorities within the European Union."
No other rationale was given for the decision.
Malta was in the running to host the important agency, which is currently headquartered at Canary Wharf, London, and employs 900 people from all over Europe. It was first to monitor, evaluate, and determine the safety of medical and veterinary products before they are sold in the European Single Market. A total of 20 EU Member States have also launched their bids to be host country of the EMA post-Brexit.
A final vote determining the relocation of the EMA is expected to take place on 20 November 2017 at the EU's General Affairs Council.