Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Europe’s Chief Negotiator for the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU Michel Barnier held a meeting today, to discuss the latest Brexit developments after the European Council’s decision to prolong Brexit until 31 October.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat firmly said that the ball is not in Britain’s court. Muscat said that he was encouraged by Barnier’s statement, that there will be no reopening of the withdrawal agreement, and that now the EU is more focused on on the future relationship between the Union and the UK. He said that Malta’s level of preparedness is very good in both the case of a no-deal Brexit, and one with a deal.
Barnier described himself as Malta’s negotiator as well, given that malta is part of the EU. He hopes that Britain will take a decision asap that will allow the UK and the EU to come together for a meaningful discussion on future relationship.
Barnier said that the EU worked on the withdrawal agreement with no sense of animosity or revenge, and is now awaiting the UK to reach their solution
He said that the EU wants the UK to agree to the deal so that the focus could then move on to future relations between the two.
He said that the EU is open to a possible customs union with the UK, but said that the EU's principles must be ensured - the single market and the four freedoms, as well as the autonomy of the 27 other states.
Asked by this newsroom how hopeful he is that agreement will be reached, he said that this is difficult to answer. He said that the political situation in London is unclear. He said that the EU and London had reached an agreement more than 6 months ago, yet all this time the British Parliament never found a positive majority on the agreement or other proposals. He said that the UK decided to leave and the EU regrets this vote, and said that till now nobody has shown proof of the added value to this decision. "But we respect the democratic vote." He said that now the UK needs a political majority approval, and that the EU is waiting.