Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat agreed this evening that the Mediterranean is fundamental for stability and security in Europe and that stability in Libya is of the utmost priority in tackling the issues of migration and security in the region.
Addressing a joint press conference with the Italian Prime Minister at the Auberge de Castille, Dr Muscat said the Mediterranean cannot be considered as the border of the EU but as its heart. There can be no peace in Europe without peace in the Med.
The Prime Minister said the theme of migration and Libya will be discussed further between the two countries in the coming months. “The Mediterranean should not become a sea of death but one of opportunities. We want to put the Mediterranean at the heart of the EU and vice versa and this can be done in partnership with Italy.”
The Italian Prime Minister said the Mediterranean is the heart and soul of Europe and it would be a great error if politicians did not regard it as such. Italy will keep pushing this message forward, he said. The delicate situation in Libya, migration and the threat of terrorism are all issues that need to be discussed and tackled.
Asked on the proposal for asylum processing centres in North Africa, Dr Muscat said this was a delicate issue and it would be premature, at this point, to say where any centres should be located. The priority should be the securitization of Libya. “The situation in Libya is intolerable – migration flows could increase in the comings months if action is not taken. We are seeing a ray of hope in a government of at least partial national unity in Libya. That should be followed up with a UN Security Council resolution that would help Europe. It is crucial that any operation would be a European one.”
Mr Renzi agreed, saying that Libya is not only Italy and Malta’s concern. The EU, he said, should strive to unite as many Libyan tribes as possible and the international community should take part in this effort. If the EU does not act in front of this challenge it would be a defeat for the dignity of its institutions.
Terrorism and instability are a global problem, he said, referring to last week’s Kenya university killings. The conclusions of last month’s EU summit were a step in the right direction but now need to be followed up. “Instead of being terrorized by the prospect of more migrant arrivals we should tackle the problem at its roots.” Mr Renzi said migrant flows from certain North African counties had practically stopped some years ago but the numbers have since swelled. Without peace in Libya migration will persist.
“Seeing the scenes like the beheadings on Libyan beaches is not something we should just be sad about. It is the reason why we enter politics – to put a stop to these things and make sure the world is a safer place.”
Joseph Muscat noted the positive changes brought about by the new EU Commissioner for Migration, Dimitris Avramoupoulos. Malta has limited military and SAR resources, he said, which are all dedicated to saving migrants. The important thing for now is to stabilize Libya.
The Prime Ministers also spoke about the interconnector and the energy sector. Dr Muscat said the interconnector was an example of how neighbouring countries could work together. The government, he said, has identified Gela in Sicily as the place where Malta’s gas pipeline will be connected to. The Prime Minister said that both sides had also discussed the possibility of joint oil exploration.
The Italian Prime Minister also said that the two countries will be discussing ways how to strengthen the European culture as a means to preserve and strengthen the European identity.