"This is the moment of truth," Opposition and nationalist Party Leader Adrian Delia said about Brexit during a European People's Party (EPP) summit in Brussels on Thursday.

"More than three years ago the United Kingdom decided, through a referendum, to leave the European Union.  We respected that decision and we continue to respect it.  But now the moment of choice has arrived", Delia said.

Earlier on Thursday, it emerged that an agreement on a withdrawal deal had been reached between the EU and the UK, although this deal must still be approved by state heads in the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and the House of Commons in the UK.

Delia said this is the moment to make a decision, noting that the uncertainty and instability which European citizens and businesses - including those in Malta - are going through because of Brexit cannot keep being renewed.

He said that the past three years were difficult for Maltese who live in the UK and for Maltese businesses who import and export to the UK, and said that as a result it is necessary for this chapter to be closed once and for all in an amicable manner for stability to return.

He noted with satisfaction the fact that the Republic of Ireland had found unconditional support from the union throughout the last three years, and thanks European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and the lead Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for their work on this subject.

The Opposition Leader also requested that a minute's silence be held at the beginning of the summit in memory of assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a day after the second anniversary of her death.