Malta considers Libya to be its trusted friend, and aims to strengthen its relationship through more investment in protection of Libyan and Maltese borders, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Monday.
“Historically our countries always had excellent relationships which translated in investments, investments which have brought profit to both countries”, Abela said.
Abela was speaking during a visit by Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to Malta.
Monday’s meeting is a follow up to that held in Tripoli back in May, when Abela, alongside Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri flew there for a visit.
This morning Abela said that the immigration coordination centre will be inaugurated today, describing this as ‘one step’ of many plans between the two countries. “Malta will always support Libya and I wish to reconfirm my government’s position.”
Abela highlighted that the two countries will work together in an effort to stop human trafficking and prevent more loss of life in the Mediterranean. He said that for many years Malta has been on the receiving end of migration and due to the increase in human trafficking, migration pressures have increased in recent months.
“This is our vision; we need to have better border protection, less human smuggling, less criminality, less loss of lives and more investment in better living conditions and funding through the European Union for Africa, Libya and European neighbourhood.”
He said that the Maltese government vision is that Libya is run by Libyans for Libyans, and that the government will continue to support Libya’s rebuilding process.
Libyan Prime Minister Serraj thanked Abela and the Maltese Government for the warm welcome. "I am pleased to be in Malta to work on our common interests and major challenges we face in the Mediterranean, and that we work together for the benefit of the Maltese and Libyan citizens," said Serraj.
He said that he is hopeful that the following discussions and visits will provide an outcome which is fruitful for both Malta and Libya.
Sarraj was met at Malta International Airport by Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, before then being welcomed at Castille Square by Abela.
The Libyan president is accompanied Foreign Minister Mohammed Taher Siala and Interior Minister Fathi Ali Abd-AlSalam Bashagha.
It is the second time that Abela has met Sarraj, having met the Libyan President on a state visit in Tripoli last May.
A memorandum of understanding was signed during that meeting, with Malta and Libya agreeing on the setting up of coordination centres in their respective capitals Valletta and Tripoli which will focus on stemming the migration crisis in the North African country.
Later in the day, President George Vella welcomed Serraj at Sant'Anton Palace, where they exchanged views on the present and future situation in Libya.
President Vella underlined the mutual bilateral interest in achieving peace and stability in the region. He said that the Libyan President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord's visit to Malta is an opportunity for both countries to strengthen their relations and renew cooperation on migration and security in the Mediterranean, as well as to reinforce the friendship that has been ongoing for decades between Malta and Libya, since diplomatic relations were established.
Photos: DOI - Clodagh O'Neill, Jason Borg, Omar Camilleri