Update 1.53pm - Louis Grech highlights presidency priorities

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil called on the government to restore Malta's credibility among its international partners before taking over the EU presidency next January.

Addressing a conference on Malta's EU presidency organised by MEP Roberta Metsola, Dr Busuttil said that following the Panama Papers scandal Malta's credibility was at stake.

He said that in order to be respected and Malta to be taken seriously, Dr Muscat had to sack Minister without Portfolio Konrad Mizzi and his chief of staff Keith Schembri before the start of the presidency.

"How can Malta be taken seriously at the negotiations table when senior government people with secret companies in Panama are still an integral part of Dr Muscat's team," dr Busuttil said.

Referring to the ongoing serious allegations on Alfred Mifsud, Dr Busuttil said Malta's credibility risked being damaged if it went ahead with its plans to nominate him as Central Bank governor.

Dr Busuttil said that he was sure that the EU considered such things unacceptable, and that Malta would suffer if the government continued to not take heed. 

'Malta's biggest challenge since accession' - Grech

Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech called the upcoming presidency "perhaps the biggest challenge Malta will face since its accession to the EU," adding that he was confident Malta would be up to the challenge. 

Mr Grech said Malta's presidency would focus on issues such as security and migration, the maritime sector as well as the Mediterranean. Legislation related to the single market, including the digital single market, the energy union, climate change as well as the banking union and financial services would also be on the agenda, he said.