Migration and closer relations between Malta and Libya were amongst the topics discussed in Prime Minister Robert Abela’s visit to Tripoli on Thursday.
A statement issued by the Libyan government explained how Abela, Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo, and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri met with the President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Reconciliation (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli, with the memorandum of understanding in combatting illegal immigration and the strengthening of friendship between the two countries the foremost points on the agenda for discussion.
Al-Sarraj, Foreign Affairs Mohamed Sial, Minister of Interior Fathi Pasha, Chief of Staff of the Marine Forces General Abdelhakim Abu Halaya, and a number of political and security officials participated in the meeting on the Libyan side of the table.
The statement reads how al-Sarraj welcome Abela in Tripoli, emphasising the “distinguished relationship” between the two countries and expressing his appreciation for Malta’s support to the GNA.
Libya is currently in the throes of yet another armed conflict, and according to the statement, Abela was given an overview of the situation in the country by al-Sarraj which emphasised their “determination to defeat the aggression against the capital and other Libyan cities, to restore stability to the country, and the Libyan people fulfil their aspiration to the establishment of a democratic civil state.”
The statement reads that Abela too emphasised the relations between the two countries and Malta’s support for the GNA along with the notion that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis.
Abela said that Malta looked forward to developing and developing bilateral relations in various fields, and the statement continued to explain how both sides had agreed to “expedite steps to activate cooperation agreements in the political, economic and security fields.”
The statement continues that the two sides examined the European Union process launched in the Mediterranean with a view to imposing a ban on the flow of arms to Libya, and agreed that this process should take into account the reservations made by Libya and Malta.
On another level, both sides also agreed to coordinate efforts between them in facing the Covid-19 pandemic and deal with its consequences.
Abela and the rest of the Maltese delegation returned to Malta on Thursday afternoon.
The visit was Abela’s first to the north African country since he became Prime Minister, and comes at a time when illegal migration is once again on the agenda.
Both Abela and Evarist Bartolo have frequently spoken of hundreds of migrants leaving Libyan shores in an effort to reach Malta or Italy, and have explained how Malta cannot cope with anymore migrants by itself.
Indeed over 400 migrants are currently held on four tourist boats – the latest of which was dispatched earlier on Thursday – just outside Maltese waters.
Maltese government statement
A Maltese government statement read that irregular migration is impacting both Malta and Libya and therefore both sides need to work together as a catalyst towards a much-awaited solution.
Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated Malta’s firm position on the need to address and stop human trafficking, stating that Malta is facing unprecedented and disproportionate flows and burdens. Both leaders spoke about the need to strengthen cooperation to ensure that lives are not lost at sea and to combat human traffickers on the ground and at sea.
Prime Minister Abela stressed that, with its limited resources, Malta has always respected its international obligations on a humanitarian basis. "Yet, Malta cannot carry the burden alone and will work with its European partners to support countries in the Mediterranean with the necessary resources to face this challenge." Abela said that the solution clearly lies in concrete action on Libyan shores and its southern border. Principally, through addressing and stopping human trafficking, rather than focusing just on relocation of migrants to other countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding stipulates that Malta and Libya agreed to set up a coordination unit in each country to assist in operations against illegal migration. These centres are expected to resume operations within the coming weeks. The agreement also stipulates that Malta is to support Libya in the EU for the provision of financial assistance to Libya through the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework, among other things.
Photo: Government of National Accord Facebook Page