Two countries divided by a short span of sea and with an incredible similarity in language, Malta and Libya have been connected in one way or another since time immemorial. Trade was one factor that brought people in contact with each other and recent history saw Maltese workers going over to settle in Libya becoming known as Tripolitanians. But recent politics were the main factor that augmented the ties between the two countries

When Malta became independent in 1964 it opened its first embassy abroad in Libya and when Libya itself became independent in 1951, Malta was one of the first countries to recognise the new state. When 18 years later a revolution took place in Libya and the country was declared a Republic, Malta was the first to recognise this new state of affairs in Libya. Later delegations started visiting the respective countries and treaties were signed.

In the meantime the government in Malta changed hands and this resulted in an increase of agreements and an extensive Libyan aid to Malta. This involved the setting up of Libyan factories in Malta, creation of joint venture companies, trade between the two countries was fluent and Malta and Libya seemed to be working hand in hand. When later, government in Malta changed hands again this relation with Libya was kept up though at times with some reserve due mostly to the fact that the new Maltese government felt that some treaties had to be amended, the economy was being re-channelled with a bent on the European side and Malta was being geared for entry into membership of the European Union. When an international embargo was imposed on Libya, Malta acted as a haven to Libyan nationals who came to Malta for all their needs while others used Malta for transit to travel to other countries. And when finally the embargo was raised, Maltese companies continued or started business concerns with Libya.

Malta meanwhile became a member of the European Union but still continued with its relations with Libya, which burst up in flames earlier this year as the Libyan people rose against the Gaddafi regime and fought with courage and valour for true freedom and democracy. In their struggle for freedom Libyan people were killed, maimed and wounded by their own regime.

As soon as the news of the revolt in Libya reached Malta, the Maltese government immediately decided to go all out to help and in this was wholly supported by the Opposition. Plans were immediately formed for the evacuation of Maltese and other foreign workers from Libya and Malta became the hub of the evacuation operation. By the end of the exercise, more than 15,000 people were evacuated from Libya.

In tandem with the evacuation effort, Malta also continuously sent provisions, food, water and medicines to the people of Libya. These efforts also included the aid of doctors and health assistants and the bringing over to Malta of the maimed and the wounded. We should be proud of these efforts because in spite of our limits we have helped where aid was really needed, in the humanitarian sector. History will record that little Malta has done more than other bigger and influential countries in this regard.

The Maltese government’s humanitarian efforts towards our neighbours and the fact that it was one of the first governments to recognise the Transitional National Council as the proper authority which had the right to administer Libya have also managed to create a bond of friendship with the leaders of the TNC who have led the revolt and are at the moment running the administrative affairs of Libya. This bond has itself become the basis of a new type of relationship between Malta and Libya. TNC Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril described these new relations as being based on gratitude, appreciation and respect. On his part the Chairman of the TNC Mustafa Abdul Jalil while thanking Malta for the humanitarian, medical and ‘military’ support throughout the revolution, emphasised that “all this expresses the depth of the relationship between our two countries”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg who was greatly involved in the proceedings, and had liaisoned with the Libyan Ambassador to Malta Saadun Swajeh who wisely managed to continue with the work of the embassy during these extraordinary circumstances, has already visited Benghazi where the new administration of Libya was stationed. Dr Jalil and Mr Jibril have already visited Malta more than once and have greatly shown their appreciation for what Malta has done and is still doing. Other officials from the TNC have also come to Malta and one expects the generation of other activities between the two countries.

At the moment, Libya needs a lot of services. Once the country creates a system of government according to the norms of their hard won democracy, the new administration will have the hard job of reconstructing the country both in policies and infrastructure. This will surely create a lot of projects which will generate a lot of financial concerns. It is appropriate that Malta continues to render humanitarian help and other such services required by our Libyan neighbours. It is also proper that Malta plans and prepares well for the eventuality of opportunities that will surely arise in the rebuilding of services, industry and infrastructure in Libya so that Maltese companies will be able to help out.

We in Malta have to be pro-active in this regard and push our own interests forward because it may happen that while we have done and are still doing sterling work to help our Libyan neighbours, other countries will just think of what they can acquire from Libya and put their energies only on this policy. Italy for example wasn’t that much involved but it has already sent a strong commercial delegation to Libya led by its Foreign Minister Franco Frantini. It is true that the Maltese government has already taken some initiatives in this regard and reopened its embassy and the office of Malta Enterprise in Tripoli. At the same time Transport Malta is also already involved in helping out with the know-how needed to reactivate Libyan seaports while a call was made for application to form part of a Maltese commercial delegation which is envisaged to visit Libya and which has had a 100% response. But we still have to quicken things up, although we must of course wait for the setting up of a proper government in Libya. We must be extra careful not to miss the bus.

We Maltese are rich in experience in several sectors like education, tourism, information technology, banking and finance and it is up to our ability to provide Libya with any expertise that it might need in these sectors. This has already been recognised by Dr Jalil when he stated that “Malta would play a very distinguished role in the rebuilding of his country” and he also elaborated on the possibility of collaborating in the fields of development and construction, as well as the potential in the tourism industry.

It is true that finally it is up to the Libyans to make use of our services or not but like any ordinary businessman, Malta has to first try to sell its wares. This in itself calls for careful marketing and expert know-how of how to deal with the unique Libyan commercial environment. It will surely be a different environment for doing business with Libya to the one we were accustomed to in the past and Maltese business concerns have to adapt accordingly. We must strive to put ourselves in a position that will help us to benefit from having as a staunch friend a country that although at times was devastated, has always managed to rise anew.

Mr Cordina has been involved in Maltese Libyan affairs for the past

36 years and has edited newspapers on the subject, written numerous features and visited Libya several times