The government should take up the Libyan Ambassador’s offer and start buying oil from our North African neighbouring country at a “preferential rate,” Labour spokesman for Foreign Affairs Leo Brincat emphasised in a statement yesterday.

Mr Brincat challenged the government to change what he described as its stubborn attitude in the national interest. The Labour spokesman had issued a similar statement a few weeks ago criticising the fact that the government had stopped buying oil from Libya on the pretext that the Libyan refining process that was in place at the time was not transparent. In parliament, IT and Investments Minister Austin Gatt had said he preferred buying oil from the “open market.”

However, Mr Brincat is insisting that this attitude is costing Malta dearly in terms of its relationship with Libya, which relationship, he added, is proving crucial on many issues such as the recent fishing conservation zone and irregular immigration issues.

Making reference to an interview with Libyan Ambassador Dr Saad El Shlamani, carried on Il-Mument last Sunday, Mr Brincat said the government should seize the opportunity given by Dr El Shlamani.

In his interview, Dr El Shlamani reiterated his government’s invitation to start talks in order for Malta to start buying oil at a preferential rate from Libya.

The government should take the opportunity, especially in view of the rising price of oil.

In so doing the government would not only be renewing its relationship with Libya but could also relieve the Maltese of the added burden they have been carrying during the past months as a result of the government’s “capricious attitude”.

Libya’s invitation is even more attractive considering that the Ambassador said that he feels that there is no need for a new written agreement between the two countries but rather a renewal of past agreements, Mr Brincat’s statement ended.