Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George W. Vella, has welcomed an official request by Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj for European Union support for the training of the country's Navy and Coast Guard.
Speaking in Brussels during an EU meeting of foreign ministers (Foreign Affairs Council) today, Minister Vella stated that the EU should waste no time in providing such support to Libya's Government of National Accord. The minister stated that Malta stands ready to do its part in contributing to such training, with the aim of empowering Libya to secure its maritime border, disrupt people smugglers and be better-placed to save the lives of migrants.
Minister Vella added that a stable Libya is an inevitable precondition in finding a stable solution to properly managing migration towards Europe in the central Mediterranean, stating: "We first need a stable Libya, as the absence of peace and stability has put the lives of Libyans and migrants alike in jeopardy."
The minister also reiterated the need to "redirect the discussion on migration beyond crisis management" towards one which is holistic and includes both internal and external dimensions. He noted the Valletta Summit as just such a holistic model for engagement which has focussed on actions and implementation without creating new burdensome processes.
The Council meeting also took stock of the EU Strategy for Syria and Iraq, which was adopted a year ago, together with measures to contain and counter Daesh. Minister Vella welcomed the fact that the EU's actions have complemented other international efforts, adding that the "momentum that has been reached in the Middle East and North Africa must be maintained." The Minister also highlighted the need to adapt to the versatility of Daesh, stating that the EU can accomplish even more by strengthening its work on counter-radicalisation, with a particular focus on youth in susceptible countries.
EU ministers also held an informal discussion on the future EU Global Strategy which is intended to guide the EU's foreign and security policy in the coming years. In this respect, Minister Vella highlighted the need to ensure that the United Nations remains the EU's primary partner in conflict prevention and resolution.
The Council meeting was preceded by an Eastern Partnership ministerial conference. In this regard, Minister Vella stated that the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2017 will endeavour to continue to promote and support closer political and economic relationships between the EU and its Eastern neighbours. The Minister also underscored the need to further consolidate the EU's differentiated approach and to increase the resilience of its partners.