Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this evening that was impressed by the preparations made by the EU’s Brexit negotiations team, headed by Michel Barnier, whom he met this morning, and the detail they had gone into already.

“For example, Michel (Barnier) told me 'do you know how many cats and dogs cross from Dover to Calais on the pet passport?'. He said 250,000 and we need to find a solution to this as well."

The Brexit negotiations would be tough, Dr Muscat said, but there was a willingness to arrive to a fair solution to everyone, not just one side.

The comment was made as Dr Muscat joined EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in a public dialogue on the future of Europe. 

In a sad day for Europe, marked by the triggering of the Brexit process, Mr Juncker was in good humour, joking that he was looking forward to pastizzi and Cisk, paid for by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. 

Mr Juncker and Dr Muscat replied to a range of questions including Brexit, democracy and terrorism, but the humour came out when the president of the Malta Grandparents Association asked Mr Juncker whether he would consider having the EU declare a Day of Grandparents, in recognition for their service in forming tomorrow's generation.

'I am dealing with Brexit,' an incredulous Mr Juncker replied.

He said said he was grateful for the work done by grandparents, and then looked at his watch and said he was looking forward to pastizzi and Cisk, 'which the prime minister will pay for'.

On Brexit, he said the British people had taken a decision they would regret.

"I am feeling fine tonight, because we are talking about the European future. Although we have our weaknesses and failures, Europe is the best place on earth to live." 

And my immediate future is.. pastizzi, he said.