Malta has asked Libya to make a number of licences available for Maltese fishermen to fish in its recently designated fishing zone, but the request was not upheld, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo said in Parliament yesterday.

He said talks were now being held on cooperation between Maltese and Libyan fishermen and this process needed to be given time to mature.

Dr Frendo said it appeared that Libyan fishermen were sensitive to the fact that Maltese fishermen came from a friendly country and the Libyan authorities too were negotiating in a way that was mindful of the good relations between the two peoples. It was also his hope that he would visit Tripoli next month when the subject would be brought up again.

The minister was replying to questions by Labour MP Noel Farrugia.

He said relations with Libya were strong and covered the whole spectrum of the government. He was confident they would continue to develop even further in a holistic manner. He said the Libyan Foreign Minister had been nominated to head talks in a mixed commission between Libya and Malta, something which augured well for the future.