Italian news agency Vista has apologised after mistakenly quoting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat as having said ‘Ciao Richard’ when he greeted Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the EU leaders’ summit yesterday.

Alexander Jakhnagiev, an editor with the agency, said Dr Muscat's words were misinterpreted because of the positioning of the microphone, but subsequent audio checks confirmed that he had said ‘Cosa stai dicendo’.

The agency said it had withdrawn a video and a report on the incident.

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