The second day of the visit to Libya of Minister for Home Affairs and Security Glenn Bedingfield continued with positive meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of security and irregular immigration.
Following the meeting with the Libyan Minister of the Interior, Emad Al-Trabelsi, Minister Bedingfield also held meetings with the Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, where topics of common interest to both countries were discussed.
Among the main topics was the challenge of irregular immigration and the need to strengthen cooperation to address this before people making this dangerous journey reach European shores, including Maltese ones.
It was emphasized that this challenge requires coordinated work between transit countries and European countries, as well as more effective action against human trafficking networks.
During the discussions, the requests that Libya is making to the European Union in the field of immigration were also addressed. Malta believes that these requests should be listened to and discussed seriously, in order to find a common solution that recognises Libya’s role and strengthens cooperation between the two sides of the Mediterranean.
Minister Bedingfield said that the challenge of irregular immigration cannot be addressed by one country alone, but requires ongoing dialogue, shared responsibility and concrete action.
“Libya plays an important strategic role for Malta and for the whole of Europe. Therefore, I believe that we must continue to build on existing cooperation, listen to each other’s concerns and work together to address irregular immigration before it reaches European shores. It is through serious dialogue and concrete cooperation that we can achieve results that are beneficial to both countries,” said Minister Bedingfield.
The Minister reiterated Malta’s commitment to continue strengthening its relations with Libya and other countries in the region, while promoting cooperation that leads to concrete results in the field of security, in the fight against human trafficking and in addressing irregular immigration.
Photo: MHS
