Updated - Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this afternoon had a meeting of almost one hour at the Elysee Palace in Paris with French President Francois Hollande.

The two discussed the situation in the eurozone, particularly the banking crisis, growth and job-creation, the situation in Libya and bilateral issues.

The two leaders have a strong personal relationship, having worked together within the socialist group. M. Hollande had even sent a message to back Dr Muscat before the general election.  They last met at the European heads of government meeting in Brussels.

Following the meeting, M. Hollande praised Malta for its stable banking system and stressed that there could be no comparison between Malta with Cyprus. He said that while Malta was an economic and tourist haven, it was not a tax haven.

He said the two had discussed EU proposals on closer collaboration in the banking sector.

On immigration, they agreed that their respective home affairs ministers will follow-up talks on the handling of immigration.

Dr Muscat underlined the importance of the French President's comments about the need not to make comparisons between the Maltese and Cypriot banking systems.

He said that France and Malta shared the view that greater emphasis should be placed on economic growth (rather than austerity) to pull the eurozone out of its financial problems. 

The prime minister expressed solidarity with France after the car bomb attack on its embassy in Tripoli yesterday, and said the two leaders underlined the need for the international community to continue to support the Libyan government. 

Dr Muscat was accompanied by  Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech and Minister of Foreign Affairs George Vella.