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Prime Minister Joseph Muscat met with a European Parliament delegation on Friday morning, with his chief of staff Keith Schembri and Justice Minister Owen Bonnici sitting by his side.
Mr Schembri's presence at the Castille meeting comes following intense pressure for him to meet with the MEP delegation and answer their questions, with European parliamentarians reportedly keen to quiz him about his Panama Papers links as well as reports by the government’s anti-money laundering agency.
A spokesman at the Office of the Prime Minister told Times of Malta that Dr Muscat, Dr Bonnici and Mr Schembri were there to answer any questions MEPs might have.
The MEP delegation's original schedule had listed three separate meetings with Dr Muscat, Dr Bonnici and Mr Schembri.
The delegation is in Malta to assess concerns raised at a European level about the rule of law in the country, with the two-day visit drawing to a close later on Friday.
READ: 'Keith' welcomes MEP delegation to Malta
The press was invited for the first few minutes of the meeting. Dr Muscat opened it by expressing regret that the delegation came after an EP debate and resolution vote about the rule of law in the...