Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba met yesterday with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations between Libya and Italy, and coordinating joint efforts on a number of files of mutual interest.
The meeting discussed ways to develop cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic and service fields, in addition to discussing the issue of irregular migration as one of the most prominent common challenges in the Mediterranean region.
The Prime Minister stressed the strength of the relationship with the current Italian government, stressing the importance of building on this path to achieve practical and sustainable results, and reiterated his call on Italy and the European Union to provide direct and clear support to the Tripoli Government in facing the challenges of irregular migration, considering that Libya bears great burdens at the security and humanitarian levels.
Libya will not be a home for illegal migrants
Aldabaiba reiterated Libya’s refusal to be a home for illegal migration or a settling point for migrants, stressing the need to support the deportation and return plan as a key path to address the crisis, in a way that ensures a fair distribution of responsibilities and reduces pressure on Libyan cities and facilities.
MFZ signs strategic agreement with Italy’s MSC
The meeting came in parallel with Tajani participating in yesterday’s signing of an agreement to develop and expand the Misrata Free Zone (MFZ) Port Terminal with investments of up to $2.7 billion, with the participation of international companies, led by Italy’s MSC (with MCP and TIL). The agreement seeks to raise the port’s capacity to 4 million containers per year, with expected operating revenues estimated at about $500 million annually, and the provision of 8,400 direct and 62,000 indirect jobs.
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