"The EU is not bluffing about Brexit", Valletta has a message before assuming the presidency

Britain should not expect that the relationship with the EU will be better than it is now when leaving the block, today announced the Maltese prime minister in an interview on BBC radio to take up the EU presidency from Valletta signaling a hard stance in the upcoming negotiations Brexit.

"We will not form a situation in which the United Kingdom will take a good deal compared with today. This simply can not happen," said Joseph Muscat.

Asked about the position of the British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, who had said that Britain could maintain access to the single market by putting restrictions on the movement of citizens of EU member states, the Muscat replied: "No bluff is absolutely on the European side ... no, this is really and truly our position and I do not see change, "he added excluding the possibility to soften the EU's stance in negotiations on the Brexit.

The BBC also reported statement of Muscat whereby the negotiations on the details concerning the new relationship which will conclude in London with the EU might be delayed.