Updated 3.15pm - European leaders engaged in a sober debate on the reasons for Brexit in what Joseph Muscat described as a welcome shift in attitude.

The Prime Minister said there was consensus among the 27 member states over giving the UK some breathing space until the new prime minister is chosen.

There was a more understanding attitude, he said, signaling a change from the "arrogant" tone displayed by some in the EU institutions in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

However, Dr Muscat acknowledged that "at the back of everybody's minds" was the unasked question whether the UK will really exit the EU.

"There are different scenarios but it would be pure speculation at this stage and everyone is making the assumption they will leave," Dr Muscat said today at the end of a two-day summit that discussed Brexit.

Today's breakfast session that stretched beyond noon was held in the absence of the UK.

European leaders have started drawing red lines on the terms for Brexit, making it clear that if the UK wanted full access to the single market it would have to embrace the free movement of people.

Curbing migration was a central plank of the Leave campaign that is at odds with the concept of free movement of people.

The problem, Dr Muscat said, was that it was not yet clear what type of relationship the UK wanted.

"The relationship must be strong but the UK will not be given any special status and it will be treated as a third country during talks," he said.

No formal decision has been taken on what happens with the UK presidency of the EU in the second half of next year, with the British prime minister yesterday saying he would like that decision to be taken by his successor.