This week Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, during an official visit to Germany, delivered a clear message to our European partners. He stressed the need to support Libya in overcoming the crisis it is facing and more so that the European Union needs to take immediate action to save Libya from becoming a failed state. The Prime Minister's message received the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This is indeed an important milestone and one which needs to be acted upon.
It is true that the Ukrainian crisis is of significant concern to Europe, but the Libya crisis is of equal concern, not least due to its impact on some of the major issues that are afflicting the Mediterranean region, most notably illegal immigration, the proliferation of arms in the country and the instability that reigns. The fact that hundreds of thousands of Libyans have fled to Tunisia is also a clear sign of the instability that exists and the toll it is taking on its citizens. Of equal concern is the statement made by former Libyan Finance Minister Ali Tarhouni, who now serves as President of the Constituent Assembly of Libya, who warned that the areas around the Libyan coast have descended into anarchy, so much so that he called it a "perfect breeding ground for smugglers, human traffickers and Islamic militants".
Having this situation next to our EU borders is definitely a worrying situation. I raised this issue when I was addressing the European Parliament during the plenary session in Strasburg, when we discussed a motion for resolution on the situation in Libya a few weeks ago. The situation is indeed urgent. If Libya fails, the whole of the European Union will be affected. During the same plenary session, I could not but emphasise that while it is encouraging that the EU focuses its attention on countries on the Eastern borders, it has done so at the expense of its southern borders.
Ever since the Gaddafi regime was removed, Libya has faced nothing but chaos, violence and terrorism. We cannot ignore this state of affairs or stand still if there are still people being tortured or having their dignity trampled on. I believe that the European Union as a whole should stand up in unison to stop these barbaric acts and address what is happening in Libya.
The support being shown by other countries to Malta's position of establishing a mediation initiative led by the United Nations is encouraging. This is possibly the best way forward in the current circumstances and we need all countries on board to ensure that such an initiative receives the support of the whole of Europe. We cannot allow extremist ideologies and terrorism to continue flourishing. In this regard, the European Parliament is also working on a resolution about anti-terrorism measures. Terrorism has always been an issue but it has become more of an issue after the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo Offices in Paris and after the attacks on the Corinthia Hotel in Libya.
The situation in Libya is high on my agenda. Admittedly, Members of European Parliament have a sizeable portfolio of interests to follow, but we must be ready to adjust our agenda according to Europe's pressing needs, while also reflecting our national agenda and Malta's own priorities. The need for a stable Libya is in Malta's interest and the European Union's interest as well. Malta should therefore be one of the main drivers of initiatives meant to help in stabilizing the situation in the Mediterranean, and I believe that discussions led by the United Nations, with the involvement of all factions in Libya, can help find a solution to the situation in Libya.
As I stated in the European Parliament, I believe that it is up to the Libyans themselves to find a solution which will fit their country's best interests, but I think that the European Union can do much more. That is why it is encouraging to see more European countries agreeing with the suggestion put forward by Malta that, in agreement with all the different factions in Libya, there will be a United Nations effort to help regain stability and security in the country.
Ultimately, however, we need to harp on the message that this should be a Europe-wide effort, and the European Union must take on a central role to ensure a stable Mediterranean and a stable Europe.
Miriam Dalli is a Labour Party Member of European Parliament