Editorial

Past political rhetoric by leading Maltese politicians of the island's potential value to act as a bridge between Europe and North Africa, generally meaning Libya, was invariably seen as diplomatic jargon that rarely translated itself into concrete action. It would seem that today the island could do with a little outside help to enable it to strengthen its own bridges between its immediate northern and southern neighbouring countries!

To put the record straight from the outset, there are no grounds to believe that the island's relations with the two countries, Italy and Libya, are strained but some difficulties arising out of new circumstances would perhaps indicate the need for greater understanding and solidarity.

The incident with Italy over the 13 Turkish Kurds, settled over the weekend when that country accepted to take the stowaways back in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin II Convention, is perhaps indicative of the strains and stresses that Italy itself is going through at present over the influx of illegal immigrants.

According to the Dublin Convention, a state has to accept responsibility for asylum seekers once a ship docks in its internal waters. The Turkish Kurds had first landed at Gioia Tauro but Italy had sent them back to their ship. With the flow of illegal immigrants across the Mediterranean ever on the rise, it is only logical to expect that some problems are likely to arise.

There is no doubt that Italy is one of the island's good friends. It supported to the hilt the island's bid to join the European Union and has been financially helping Malta for a number of years now. Keeping this bond between the two countries alive now assumes greater significance to Malta as the island settles in its new role as a member of the European Union.

It is also in Malta's own interest to strengthen and keep alive the bond the island has established over the years with Libya. Malta is experiencing a new phase in its relations with Libya as the latter country opens up to the world after a gradual rehabilitation that has seen European leaders flock to Tripoli to re-establish political and economic ties.

The problem over the delay in the issue of visas by Libya can well discourage Maltese businessmen from dealing with that country at a time when the prospects for increased trade and investment appear much brighter than they have ever been before.

The government has taken up the matter directly with the Libyan government and the Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi, has even met the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, for talks over this and illegal immigration. The Foreign Minister, Michael Frendo, said the other day that both countries were showing determination to solve the problem over the issue of visas but the matter was far from solved.

What at first appeared to be a matter that could be solved in a matter of months, given the fact that the two countries enjoyed such good relations with each other for so many years, appears to have become a hard nut to crack, at least for the time being.

Dr Frendo said Malta was still seen as a special friend to Libya but the time had come for dialogue with that country to become "more constructive and committed". The strength of relations between two countries is best tested in times of difficulties.