FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016 file photo, Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat arrives for the EU summit in Brussels. Joseph Muscat, whose country is about to assume presidency of the European Union for six months from Jan. 1, 2017, says Britain's exit from the bloc will see both sides lose out. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File) (The Associated Press)
LONDON – The leader of Malta, whose country is about to assume presidency of the European Union, says Britain's exit from the bloc will see both sides lose out.
Downplaying hopes of an easy divorce, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat says the 27 other EU nations will drive a hard bargain. He told the BBC that "there will not be a situation when the U.K. has a better deal than it has today."
He says Brexit "won't be a case whether one side gains and the other side loses. We are all going to lose something."
Muscat also says that Britain's hope of remaining in the bloc's single market while imposing limits on EU immigration is "just not happening."
Malta is due to hold the EU presidency for six months from Jan. 1.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.