Editorial

A degree of uneasiness appears to have been developing in relations between Malta and Libya in recent times, but particularly following the increasing numbers of illegal immigrants accidentally finding their way to Malta. If such uneasiness does not exist at government level, it is certainly being felt by the people. It looks as if something is not right in relations between the two countries.

In the eyes of the people, Libya appears to be adopting an indifferent attitude towards Malta since the island joined the European Union and, also, since the lifting of the international sanctions against that country. Wisely, government politicians, as well as the opposition, are being very diplomatic in the words they use when referring to Libya, but the people in general are sensing that all may not be too well, or that, at least, the air needs to be urgently cleared.

The declaration by Libya of a 64-mile fishing zone some months ago, for instance, did not go down well with Maltese fishermen. But the major problem is the constant flow of illegal immigrants known to be leaving from Libyan shores.

Libya must surely know that the island is far too small to take the number of illegal immigrants accidentally finding themselves in Maltese waters. So, what has been keeping it back from helping Malta solve the problem?

More specifically, why is it not responding to the call for cooperation with the EU border control agency that is planning to run patrols to check the flow? Libya's cooperation is considered essential for the success of the agency's plans. The time it is taking to respond is only helping to raise further doubts in the minds of the people as to its intentions, and confirms indifference towards the island's cause.

More than that, its attitude is now hurting the people's feelings, especially when considered against the background of the recent past when Malta was one of Libya's points of access to the outside world during the imposition of the sanctions over the Lockerbie bombing. The people would have expected Tripoli to at least come to an agreement with the island for the repatriation of illegal immigrants found to have left from Libya.

Earlier this year, EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini raised the problem of the lack of a repatriation agreement between Malta and Libya with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The commissioner quoted the Libyan leader as saying that his country was ready to commit itself to closer cooperation with the EU in order to fight human trafficking. But the problem appears to be growing, not diminishing.

This week Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi raised the problem with Romano Prodi, who appears to have avoided answering directly a journalist's question as to whether Italy was prepared to help Malta in the drawing up of a repatriation agreement with Libya, similar to the one Rome had with that country.

Mr Prodi said they needed "to continue discussing with Libya..." and Dr Gonzi has not given up either on the possibility of Libya involving itself in work to stem the flow of illegal immigrants.

Malta has never turned its back on Libya, even in the worst of times. But, to be meaningful, cooperation has to be two-sided and timely, not just over the matter of illegal immigration, which is a big problem for Malta, but in other areas as well, as, for example, over the issue of the delineation of the median line in areas not yet decided upon.

Yes, it's time to clear the air.