Updated at 12.20pm

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat briefly met with new Italian premier Paolo Gentiloni this morning, and told reporters he was convinced Malta will continue the excellent rapport it had with his predecessor, Matteo Renzi.

The short meeting took place this morning on the fringes of a meeting for leaders of the European Socialist Parties.

Speaking on his arrival in Brussels for the EU summit, Dr Muscat said migration was high on today's agenda.

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels today for the last EU summit before Malta takes over the presidency of the bloc on January 1.

Migration and the way forward following the UK's decision to leave the EU are expected to take centre-stage during today's meeting.

EU leaders will discuss Brexit after the departure of British Prime Minister Theresa May who will only attend the first part of the meeting before the discussion on the UK's divorce from the EU begins.

The European Council is expected to assess the progress on the Partnership Framework on migration and the results achieved so far on the compacts with selected African countries.

It will also assess the legislative progress on the External Investment Plan and encourage swift adoption by the co-legislators.

Also on the agenda is a discussion on the reform of the Common European Asylum System, including on the way to apply the principles of responsibility and solidarity in the future.

Asked whether he believed the meeting would be another "talking shop", the Prime Minister replied: "I hope not".