Malta and Libya discuss fight against immigration

Malta and Libya have discussed ways of strengthening the fight against illegal immigration in the region, Libyan prime minister Shokry Ghanim said yesterday.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, Dr Ghanim admitted Libya was facing a huge problem related to illegal immigration: "If hundreds of illegal immigrants come over to Malta, we have millions of illegal immigrants invading our country. I have discussed the problem of illegal immigration both with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and with Dr Fenech Adami. We all agree that we need to step up our efforts to fight this serious problem".

Dr Ghanim, who left Malta yesterday at the end of an official two-day visit, met Dr Fenech Adami at Auberge de Castille, in Valletta.

Discussions were described by Dr Fenech Adami as "talks between friends".

Malta and Libya yesterday also signed an agreement on the promotion, safeguarding and protection of investment between the two countries.

Dr Ghanim met President Guido de Marco and Labour leader Alfred Sant.

Responding to questions by The Times on whether Libya was committed to fight the plight of illegal immigration which is having a significant effect on Mediterranean countries like Malta and Italy, Dr Ghanim said his country was determined to find solutions to this problem.

He said he discussed with Dr Fenech Adami how the two countries could work together to fight this problem. He admitted that the problem of illegal immigration was leaving its mark on several countries, not least Libya. He said the problem had human, economic and political aspects.

"I appreciate that Malta is being affected by this problem but I can assure you that Libya is suffering a lot as well. We are working hard to control the influx of illegal immigrants in the region."

Dr Fenech Adami said he had very positive talks with Dr Ghanim on a number of issues, including the important step that Malta was about to take as it becomes a member of the European Union in May.

He stressed that Malta wanted to strengthen the excellent relations that already exist between the two countries. He said that Malta as a member of the EU offered new opportunities for Libyan businessmen to invest in the island.

Dr Fenech Adami said his government was closely monitoring developments that were unfolding in Libya, including new business opportunities for Maltese investors.

Dr Ghanim said his country was very satisfied with the excellent ties between the two countries. Libya was satisfied to see the number of Maltese investors and employees working in Libya increasing.

"History has brought the two countries close to each other and we are determined to continue strengthening our relations."

Dr Fenech Adami said the issue of visa for Libyan nationals once Malta joined the EU had also been discussed. There was no problem in this regard and once the proper mechanism was in place there should be no bottlenecks for Libyans to be granted a visa to come over.

The Libyan prime minister met businessmen and industrialists and visited Mediterranean Power Electric Co. Ltd and Medelec Switchgear Ltd.