During an official visit to Rome, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo had a cordial meeting with the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio.
The ministers addressed various issues, including the excellent bilateral relationship between Malta and Italy, which dates back many years, and how it can be strengthened through future projects.
They also spoke about common challenges, such as irregular migration and the southern border of the European Union and renewed their commitment to work together and strengthen their collaboration, both in the European context and on a bilateral level. In this regard, the ministers stressed the need for more cooperation, solidarity and collective action by all countries of the European Union.
Ministers Bartolo and Di Maio also expressed a mutual commitment to strengthen the strong collaboration that already exists between the two countries in the fight against the common enemy of organised crime, money laundering and terrorist financing. Similarly, they pledged to continue collaborating in the fight against human trafficking.
In response to important and positive developments in Libya, where the Government of National Unity was given a vote of confidence by the House of Representatives in Sirte, the two ministers hoped that this step forward would provide a solid basis for further progress towards peace, stability and prosperity in Libya for the good of all Libyans.
The meeting ended with a ministerial statement through which both sides reiterated their mutual will to strengthen the old friendship between Malta and Italy and to continue working together for the good and in the interest of their peoples.
Photo: MFEA
