Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo had a bilateral meeting with Libya’s Foreign Minister Najla El-Mangoush who paid her first official visit to Malta.
This visit follows that made by the Maltese delegation led by Prime Minister Robert Abela last month, with talks building on what was discussed in Tripoli.
At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Evarist Bartolo stressed that Libya is not only a geopolitical reality or an issue of oil and irregular migration, but above all, it is a sovereign state with a population of about seven million people who have suffered a lot and who are still suffering with a lack of electricity, water and other needs in daily life. He added that Malta will continue to work for peace and stability in Libya so that it can enjoy its great wealth.
The minister said that other countries can and are ready to help create wealth and progress in Libya, and that Malta remains open to serve as a bridge between Libya and the rest of Europe to achieve security and peace in Libya that will contribute towards peace and security in the Mediterranean and in Europe.
Both sides agreed that border protection and management is a priority, not only vis a vis irregular migration, but more importantly for Libya’s national security. In this context, they spoke of the need for peace and stability in Africa so that Libya would no longer be threatened by its borders with the Sahel.
Ministers Mangoush and Bartolo were later joined by Minister for Finance and Employment Clyde Caruana for talks on the importance of starting flights between Malta and Libya with the aim of opening doors for trade and investment.
In this regard, the ministers spoke about the historical trade links between the two countries and expressed their commitment to boost trade operations of Maltese companies present in Libya, and to
facilitate new investments that will be mutually beneficial for Malta and Libya.
This in the context that Malta has resumed operations from its embassy in Tripoli and is in the process of opening consulates in Benghazi and Misrata.
Photos: DOI
