Brussels has only asked for a list of the specific indirect taxation measures Malta is planning to introduce, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today allaying concerns that the forthcoming Budget may be in breach of the EU’s Stability Pact.

Reacting to the news that the European Commission had requested clarifications from Finance Ministry on Malta's draft 2015 Budget, Dr Muscat said: “The issue in reality is one of timing, as some measures cannot be announced some three weeks in advance, before the Budget date”.

He was addressing the Maltese media ahead of a working dinner and possibly a long night of negotiations on the first day of the  EU Summit in Brussels focusing on energy and climate change.

Saying he was optimistic the matter will be resolved soon, Dr Muscat said that unlike the case with other countries, the Commission did not mention of a deviation from the stringent targets of the Stability Pact when it came to Malta.

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