During a public discussion “Brexit and Us”, Member of the European Parliament Marlene Mizzi presented a frank picture of the impact a hard Brexit and “no deal” scenario might have on Malta and on the rest of the European Union.  

The event, organised by the Office of the European Parliament in Malta welcomed Maltese MEP Marlene Mizzi, H.E. Stuart Gill British High Commissioner in Malta and government representatives to discuss in a high-level panel discussion of the different Brexit scenarios.

“Unfortunately, with almost a month to go until the United Kingdom is due to leave the bloc on 29 March, concerns and risks of having a disorderly ‘no deal’exit are growing fast,” said MEP Mizzi. “As things stand, I am afraid, that Britain is on a collision course, due to bow out of the European Union with no agreement at all. If that is the case, the negative impact and risks a ‘no deal’ can have on both the EU and Britain must be mitigated as much as possible,”said MEP Mizzi.

During the discussion, Marlene Mizzi had the opportunity to answer questions made by the moderator and the public on what concerns Malta directly and on the effects this confusion will have on Malta as a country, on businesses dealing with the UK and on people travelling, workingorstudying in the UK.

MEP Mizzi confirmed that different measures are being taken at the moment to provide safeguards for Britons living and working in Malta and for a large number of Maltese living in the UK. “I am certain that Malta will keep good relations with the UK and existing agreements between Malta and the UK will continue to apply.”

She further pointed out that Malta would particularly miss the UK in the European Parliament especially on tax and financial matters. “Losing the UK on such important issues is indeed a big loss of clout and influence,” said Marlene Mizzi.

Furthermore, Mizzi presented her legislative report, which was the first legislative Brexit-linked report approved by Parliament, as part of the contingency measures proposed by the Commission. “My report has addressed and sorted the problems for car manufacturers after the UK leaves the EU. Its purpose is to create a mechanism that minimises the impact that the UK withdrawal from the Union might have on the important automotive industry, and gives an element of continuity in the trade of cars, their componentsand vehicles in general. This legislation is also very important toensurethattheconsumers are protected and safety standardsare  maintained,”said MEP Mizzi.