Malta business chiefs welcomes Theresa May’s Brexit deal

Maltese business leaders have welcomed the EU decision to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal.

Studies show Malta is likely to be one of the hardest hit nations by Britain’s decision to leave the European Union next year.

The UK has been Malta’s strongest ally around the EU negotiating table for years.

Meanwhile, Maltese students wanting to study in Britain could also suffer by Brexit hampering their chances.

The Malta Business Bureau urged MPs at Westminster to put their differences aside and work in the national interest.

Business bureau president Simon De Cesare said: ‘The endorsement by the EU member states confirms that in spite of the UK’s decision to leave the EU being regrettable and that the outcome will have negative repercussions for both sides, the EU is committed to an orderly end of the current relationship.

‘It is also committed to negotiate a future economic and security partnership, while preserving the integrity of the European Single Market.’

He added that the agreement paved the way for the status quo to remain in place until the end of 2020 to give businesses extra time.

Mr De Cesare, the chief executive of the Eden Leisure Group, added: ‘Politicians need to put radical ideologies aside and be more sensible to the facts and the implications on the economy, businesses as well as the impact on citizens.

‘No circumstances justify a no-deal Brexit.’

Downing Street hopes to force the Brexit agreement through the UK Parliament in a crunch vote next month.

Mrs May told the Commons ‘with absolute certainty’ that ‘there is not a better deal available’.

She warned that rejecting her deal would ‘open the door to more division and uncertainty, with all the risks that will entail’.

Read more: Sky News