Malta considers it essential for the United Kingdom to stay in the European Union and will back some proposals for change made by the UK, as long as they did not require changes to the Lisbon treaty, Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech said in Parliament this afternoon.

Speaking during the Budget debate, Mr Grech said the talks with the UK should be viewed as an opportunity for the EU to change, becoming less bureaucratic, less rigid and more competitive, thus winning back the people's confidence.

Mr Grech said the agenda for Malta's presidency of the EU was still under discussion but it would include social affairs, immigration and maritime affairs. 

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