The Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela, and his accompanying delegation, conducted a two-day visit to Libya last Tuesday (16 July) to hold bilateral meetings and participate in the Trans Mediterranean Migration Forum.
Abela held meetings with his Libyan counterpart Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba as well as the Presidency Council head Mohamed al Menfi, which, the Maltese embassy in Tripoli reported, included discussions on bilateral cooperation in the fields of combating illegal migration, tackling organized crime, renewable energy and trade.
The Tripoli Libyan government also reported that the two sides held dealt with the follow-up of the file of cooperation in the exchange of prisoners from the citizens of the two countries and the investment file.
Libyan-Maltese Joint Committee
It also reported that the two parties agreed to expedite the convening of the meeting of the 28th session of the Libyan-Maltese Joint Committee, chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, with the aim of activating memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements in various fields, and setting the appropriate legal framework for them.
MoU extended
An extension of the Memorandum of Understanding that was concluded between the two countries in 2020 for cooperation on combating illegal immigration was signed by the two countries.
Trans Mediterranean Migration Forum
At the Trans Mediterranean Migration Forum held Wednesday (17 July), which included participation from Libya’s neighbouring countries and from the EU, Malta’s Prime Minister remarked during a panel discussion that immigration needs to be part of a very important discussion on the strategic relations between Europe and countries in North Africa, such as Libya.
Holistic approach
He insisted on the importance of having a holistic approach and an effective strategy that involves countries of origin and transit. While border management is an immediate priority to prevent human smuggling, long-term goals are also required to address the motives behind people’s attempt to take perilous journeys, he added.
