Last Monday, I wrote that Italy’s main interest in the migrants’ issue is to re-establish its sphere of influence over Libya. On that same day, the main international news announced a meeting to be held in Tripoli, Libya between the Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini and the Libyan Deputy-Premier Ahmed Maiteeq.

I believe that the international press once again missed or chose to ignore the purpose of this meeting. It is obvious that Salvini and Maiteeq did not just meet to discuss migrants but more importantly to discuss the future of Libya. Unfortunately, the international news focused on the topic of migration because this is a hot issue world-wide and the eventuality of setting up camps for migrants on Libyan soil was on the agenda. But this was just one aspect of this meeting; in fact, it was just a detail. First, Libya refused to have these centres controlled by Europeans and rightly so, Libya considers such proposals as a remnant of colonial days, when Libyan territory was under the control of the Europeans; in Libya’s case, the Italians.

The idea of having these centres for migrants cropped up originally after a meeting between Macron and Merkel on migration. The media of their two respective countries began speaking about the need to establish centres in Libya. Malta was being kept in the loop about developments as our Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, is on record for declaring that there is a need to set up hot spots for immigrants.

Whoever came up with such a proposal clearly does not even know the history of Libya. Very cleverly, Salvini pushed for these centres to be set up on the Libyan frontiers with central African countries such as Niger and the other neighbouring territories. Historically, Libya does not have good relations with its African neighbours. BBC’s reporting of this meeting went one step further. The journalist opined the idea that both Italy and Libya want these centres to be set up in these Central African Countries and not on Libyan soil.

Salvini realized that such suggestions are destined to irritate Libya. But at the joint press conference, Salvini and Ahmed Maiteeq spoke about the reconstruction of Libya. Interestingly, not only did they refer to an economic recovery but also mentioned a cultural seat. The latter is extremely interesting and quite innovative. Possibly this is one of the first instances when ‘culture’ takes centre stage in terms of Libyan foreign politics. And Italy also wants central stage in this new development.

Moreover, this press conference served the purpose of presenting one of the new faces of Libya:  Ahmed Maiteeq. He is completely new on the international scene. Anybody studying Libya knows that there is a continuous change of political figures. No doubt the Italians have done their home-work and are fully aware of those in Libya  who can be relied on and be permanent interlocutors.

And this is where Malta is failing. Salvini has been criticized for a number of things but one has to admit that he has taken a bold step in going to Libya and discuss face to face with his Libyan counterpart. May I ask when did one of our key ministers last visit Libya to discuss policies as Salvini has done? The only thing that we have been able to do of late is to send crooks to sale fake visas!

In reality, Salvini is only doing what Dom Mintoff did in the 1970s, when he started discussions with Gaddafi. Immediately after being elected, Mintoff started talks with the Libyans. Is this not what Salvini has done? What I am stating here does not only hold for the government. It also holds for the Opposition. In the absence of government’s concrete initiative in Libya, the Opposition should be leading the game. But unfortunately, the Nationalist Party has no clear foreign policy. It is a party lost in strategy and pie in the sky.

All we are focusing on is the migrants’ issue - a subject on which the EU - for lack of will power and empathy - has been dragging its feet for many years now and which goes to highlight the ineptitude of the entire fraternity seated in Brussels. One may rightly say that it is sheer hypocrisy. Worse, the idea of hot spots  re-emerged during the Friday summit. I will reiterate that it is unworkable and humiliating for Libya. 

While Salvini is seeking to strike gold in Libya, the rest of European bureaucrats  have been pontificating first on the Aquarius and now on Lifeline. Neither Malta nor Italy wanted this ship in their harbour, with good reason too. Malta sent medicines and food to the migrants on board. But now, Malta has accepted to allow the ship and migrants in, on certain conditions. Put simply, Malta is doing all the things that Salvini had told our country to do. Salvini made it clear that this ship must enter the port of Malta and that Malta must prosecute the ship captain for fraud. 

Last Monday, the French Minister in charge of European Affairs stated on the French TV Station, France 2 that it is Italy’s duty to take responsibility for this ship. If France really believes in what she preaches, she should have been the first country to have welcomed this ship with open arms. Instead, France put pressure on Malta and forced our Prime Minister to accept the ship Lifeline in our harbours. Is Malta losing its sovereignty?

If one wants to know what is happening on the subject of migration one should also keep a close watch on what is being published in France. Le Monde is excelling in churning out information on the phenomenon of migration. Obviously, Malta is included. An extremely interesting article appeared on Le Monde’s portal of Saturday 16 June En Méditerranée, les opérations de sauvetage des ONG de plus en plus compliquées. The article speaks about difficulties that NGOs - bent on saving lives in the Mediterranean - are facing.

Yet, this article gives some interesting background history on the origins of these NGOs and the Malta connection comes out clearly. The portal mentioned that the first organization that was set up to save migrants at sea was organized and financed by Maltese millionaires. In truth, the article was referring to an Italo-American millionaire couple called Catrambone, who are financing some of these missions through their Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS). Moas has  since pulled out of Malta.

Le Monde also revealed that a few months ago, the ship Lifeline was in Malta for repairs. Malta accepted this ship despite its false registration.  This is the same vessel that a few days ago was finally allowed into Malta to off load its rescued migrants from Libyan territorial waters.  Meanwhile, the vessel has been impounded pending investigations.

This newspaper also reported that Le Seefuchs, which belongs to the German non-profit organization Sea-Eye but flies a Dutch flag, is moored in Malta’s harbour where checks are being carried out regarding its registration. The Dutch authorities have declared that the vessel was not included in the country's maritime registers!

I can recall reading back in 2017 in the L’Espresso (7th May)  that Catania Prosecutor’s Office had officially requested information from us regarding  a number of companies suspected of dealing in contraband fuel that could somehow be also linked to NGO rescue missions in the Med. I have to presume that when one learns that the daily operating costs of a vessel like Lifeline (see online video interview by a crew member) run into €11000, one has to truly query these operations.

And possibly agree that England was right in declaring that she will not send rescue boats because it only encourages human trafficking and tragedy. It is time the EU started operating seriously without any rhetoric. Enough is enough.