Jean-Claude Juncker to visit Malta this week

The outgoing president of the European Commission will be in Malta this week for a two-day official visit.

Jean-Claude Juncker will hold talks with the Prime Minister at Castille in Valletta on Monday evening with Brexit high on the agenda.

He will be awarded  a Maltese honour – the National Order of Merit – by President George Vella at a special ceremony at the Palace on Tuesday.

Mr Juncker, who has visited Malta several times, is due to end his term on October 31.

He will be replaced by Germany’s former defence minister Ursula von der Leyen on November 1.

She is considered to be close ally of German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Joseph Muscat has already congratulated Mrs von der Leyen, saying that Malta looked forward to continue engaging with the Commission on shaping a ‘future proof European Union’.

Congratulations @vonderleyen. #Malta looks forward to continue engaging with @EU_Commission to shape a future proof European Union -JM

— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 16, 2019