Malta is withdrawing its bid to host the European Medicines Agency.

The government said in a brief statement it was withdrawing the bid following extensive discussions with the agency and other national competent authorities within the European Union.

Malta was one of 19 EU states bidding to host the prestigious agency, which will have to relocate from London after Brexit. A final decision is to be made by EU leaders this month.

The Times of Malta reported last month that according to a leaked staff survey, moving the agency to Malta would prompt the departure of nearly nine in 10 staff members and precipitate a public health crisis in Europe.

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