Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi yesterday said Italy is committed to participate in joint patrols in the Mediterranean Sea in a bid to solve the problems of irregular immigration which is affecting Malta, Italy and other Mediterranean countries.

When asked by Maltese journalists, Professor Prodi said Italy is committed to participating with its maritime squadron to patrol the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian Premier said Italy is planning to continue discussions with Libya and improve bilateral relations with the country. However, he said, there is the need for a Mediterranean policy. He said this is one of his government’s priorities and added that the problem is not just Malta’s and Italy’s.

Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his Italian counterpart also pledged to collaborate more on a bilateral level as well as within the European Union to tackle “once and for all” the problem of irregular immigration which is having a drastic effect on the Maltese Islands.

During a meeting at Palazzo Chigi in Rome yesterday morning, the two Prime Ministers discussed the issue of irregular immigration as well as other bilateral issues. The main thrust of the discussion was that both countries have a big problem on their hands which needs to be addressed at different levels.

In his comments, Dr Gonzi referred to Italy’s full commitment to carry out joint patrols in the Mediterranean. He said discussions with Libya needed to continue, both on a bilateral level as well as from the European Union.

“This has become an urgent problem. We need to find solutions which are acceptable to all countries. Let us not forget that Libya is also facing a big problem. We need programmes which are tailored to all,” he said. Asked whether he had given up on reaching a solution with Libya, Dr Gonzi replied in the negative, saying he had not given up on the possibility of reaching this agreement.

Dr Gonzi said the problem has to be addressed at a European Union level, adding that Malta must work hand in hand with Italy to solve the problem once and for all.

Dr Gonzi informed Professor Prodi about his preoccupation that with the introduction of joint patrols near the Canary Islands means that the problems will increase in the central Mediterranean region. He said that the joint patrols need to start as soon as possible because if access from the Canary Islands region is closed, illegal immigration in the Mediterranean area will increase. “This meeting made it evident that Malta and Italy have similar problems and there is the need to start working together.

Asked whether Italy was prepared to assist Malta achieve some form of agreement with Libya on repatriation, Professor Prodi did not reply but just said that discussions with Libya will continue to be a priority for his government.

Professor Prodi and Prime Minister Gonzi also spoke about Malta’s intention to introduce the euro, the single European currency. Professor Prodi said this is another instrument which will continue bringing Italy and Malta closer on a bilateral level.

Dr Gonzi said that during their discussion, they also spoke about the Italo-Maltese financial protocols and how this assistance was instrumental for Malta to carry out important projects, especially the infrastructural ones. A substantial number of roads across the islands have been re-built utilising Italian funds.

On a totally different issue, Dr Gonzi and Professor Prodi discussed linking Malta to the Sicilian energy grid. Dr Gonzi told the Italian Prime Minister of Malta’s interest to link up with the Sicilian energy grid and added that discussions between the two countries on this issue will be intensified in the coming months. On his part, Professor Prodi said “Italy is not only ready but eager to link Malta to the Sicily energy grid”.