The Prime Minister will be heading to Libya tomorrow for a short visit to meet his counterparts. This is the first visit by the Prime Minister to the new, free Libya. It will be brief, just an overnight stopover, but the significance is huge.
One would imagine that there would not be concrete agreements made during the visit, but would rather be more along the lines of a ‘touch base’, sort of meeting. Of course, there is so much to discuss.
If we were to look beyond the tip of our noses, in worrying only about the irregular immigration issue, it becomes clear that there are a multitude of topics which should be on the agenda.
Of course, the Prime Minister will push the interests of current, existing, Maltese interests in Libya, but there is a wealth of other opportunities. The post-Gaddafi Libya is crying out for investment, expertise, manpower and infrastructure. Maybe Malta cannot provide all that Libya needs, but it can certainly contribute, both in material terms, and in terms of support, logistics and expertise.
Libya is still in a phase of hiatus. The authorities in the country are just taking the first steps to what they hope will become a modern economy, based on democracy and Islamic principles, ready to do business with the western world.
Of course, the Prime Minister will discuss the issue of oil exploration, something which was unthinkable during the Gaddafi days. Many are old enough to remember Libyan Navy vessels just off the horizon when Malta had tried to look for oil which Libya claimed in the 1970s.
Other issues will include logistical talks on ferrying workers into Libya to operate oil refineries. Under Gaddafi, many of these workers transited through Malta, and all subsequently passed through Malta when the foreigners were evacuated.
It stands to reason that both Libya and Malta would find it to be mutually beneficial if this ‘tradition’ resumed and was strengthened. Peace and stability in the Mediterranean and the upcoming 5+5 meeting between Southern European Mediterranean states and North African countries will also be on the agenda.
Malta is also making a bold statement. Libya is not yet safe, yet the head of the Maltese government is paying an official visit to the country in order to boost diplomatic, economic and business ties. Libya is a land of opportunity, yet these people will need help to set up the necessary infrastructure to allow democracy to flourish.
We are sure that if the Libyan people apply the same sort of determination which they showed in the uprising against Gaddafi’s oppression, they can build a new Libya and contribute to peace, stability and economic growth in the Mediterranean basin.
The fact of the matter is that Libya is changing day by day. The political infrastructure is slowly taking shape, and Malta’s government is making inroads by making a foreign visit to this budding nation. Libya is our neighbour. Its people are trying to build something new out of a former pariah state which, under the surface, was run like a medieval serfdom for four decades. This is our chance to help them build this new Libya.