European Council President Donald Tusk today described the Maltese EU presidency as efficient saying it was one of the best experiences he had in his professional life.

He mentioned the end of roaming charges and the work done on migration and international security as "some of the impressive and excellent work" that had been done.

“You deserve all the praise you are getting,” Mr Tusk said.

Dr Muscat spoke on the good collaboration between European institutions in the past six months for results to be achieved.

On migration, he said that although there was disappointment that not all member states were doing what they were expected to do, progress had still been achieved and Libyan coast guards were being trained.

Italy had also donated four boats to Libyan authorities for these to help in missions. Conditions were improved in four detention centres and the International Migration Organisation assisted 5,000 people to voluntarily return to their country of origin from Libya.