EU lifts arms embargo on Libya
Malta welcomes decision
European Union foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg have agreed to end sanctions against Libya, including an arms embargo. Malta and Italy had been pressing their EU counterparts to lift the embargo, imposed in 1986, on the ground that Libya would be able to buy new equipment to beef up its border controls against illegal migration.
Speaking to The Times following the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta welcomed this decision. He said the removal of all sanctions and the lifting of the arms embargo against Libya would result in better future relations between the EU and Libya, which would be beneficial to Malta.
Dr Frendo said this was the first time that the EU was committing itself with our neighboring country. He said that a technical mission would soon be going to Libya to assess the country's need for equipment to monitor illegal migration.
In a statement delivered at the council, Minister Frendo emphasised also the need that Libya would be integrated in the Barcelona process and the EU's Euro-Med policy.
In theory, yesterday's agreement sealed negotiations at ambassadorial level held last month in Brussels where the deal was first agreed. The original proposal for the lifting of the embargo was submitted jointly by Italy and Malta following discussions between Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and Italian Foreign Minister Giuseppe Pisanu.
Libya is considered as a major hub for clandestine migrants from African countries and it is estimated that more than a million are awaiting on Libyan shores to cross the Mediterranean. Libya's borders range over 6,000 kilometers, including 2,000 kilometers of shoreline. The embargo was originally imposed against Libya in the late 1980's because of its role in state-sponsored terrorism, including the 1986 Lockerbie bombing.
EU foreign ministers also discussed the latest progress report about Turkey and the Commission's recommendation that Turkey is ready to start accession talks with the EU.
At yesterday's meeting EU ministers discussed also the possibility of lifting the arms embargo on China, imposed after the 1989 Tienanmen Square massacre. Ministers however said that they needed more time to decide about this matter.