PM in talks with Germany’s Angela Merkel and Italy’s Federica Mogherini

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini at the start of the working session of the European Council.

There “absolutely cannot be” any discussions on Brexit negotiations before UK Prime Minister Theresa May actually triggers the exit process, he said.

He did have a word of caution for the UK saying, “The freedom of movement of persons is an essential party which gives access to the single market. This must be respected.”

Shortly afterwards he spoke briefly to journalists as he left the Council meeting.