Theresa May thanks Malta for Brexit promise to expats

Theresa May has thanked Malta for reassuring concerned British expats living in the Maltese Islands they ‘have nothing to worry about’ after Brexit.

A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘Mrs May thanked Joseph Muscat for the assurances on residency and rights that he has given to UK nationals living in Malta in the event of no deal.

‘They agreed that it is in everyone’s interests for the UK to leave with a deal, and the Prime Minister reiterated her commitment to work as quickly as possible to find a solution and provide certainty for businesses and international partners.’

Mrs May invited Dr Muscat to Downing Street to update him on the latest developments in the UK’s negotiations with Brussels and Dublin, as the sides try to find a way through the impasse on the Irish border.

Malta’s prime minister was also in London to meet a number of potential investors who are considering moving their head offices to Malta in order to remain in the EU after Brexit.

Last month, he pledged that Malta would be ‘the most UK-friendly country’ in the EU.

Dr Muscat told British expats in Malta: ‘You have nothing to worry about, even if there is a no-deal.

‘Besides being EU members, we are also members of the Commonwealth and have a very strong relationship with the UK.

‘There is an understanding between both sides that in no way will citizens who live in our two countries be made to go through any negative experiences.’

The Prime Minister said Maltese students in Britain need not worry, and gave his assurance that the Malta-UK reciprocal health agreement would remain in place after Brexit.

"I was pleased to host Maltese Prime Minister @JosephMuscat_JM today at Downing Street. We had constructive discussions about the UK's exit from the EU and other shared priorities.” – PM @Theresa_May https://t.co/ZR7Fg9JG5D

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) February 11, 2019