Wednesday, 23rd April 2008 - 06:35CET

Foreign Minister in Tripoli talks

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg has had talks in Tripoli with Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul Rahman Shalgam.

They discussed oil exploration, immigration, the proposed Union for the Mediterranean and the granting of visas, among other issues.

Malta and Libya have, for years,been exploring ways to settle a disagreement on the delineation of the continental shelf between the two countries for oil exploration purposes.

More recently, Malta and other EU countries have complained that not enough is being done by Libya to stop migrants leaving for Europe from its shores. Malta, like the other EU countries, is calling on Libya to cooperate more closely in Frontex border agency patrols and to accept the repatriation of migrants.

Both countries have also discussed ways to speed up the granting of visas, introduced when Malta joined the EU.

Dr Borg begins a two-day visit to Cairo tomorrow.

The visits are his first since he was appointed foreign minister last month.

Picture: Dr Borg with his Libyan counterpart Abdul Rahman Shalgam

Comments

joe borg (3 weeks, 1 day ago)

Martinelli...why do you not mention all the facts then??? What was Malta's reaction to that dispute??? Mintoff closed many of Libya's interests in Malta eg Radio, Libyan School and all their officials were told to leave....it was only after Libya retreated that they were told to stay.....
but my whole point was that Libyans dont trust Gonzipn...punto e basta.....no matter what your impression is..

Joseph Grech-Attard (3 weeks, 1 day ago)

Mr Martinelli.....yes times change, but, still, after 37 years Europe is again thinking of a Mediterranean union as it did 37 years ago.....so what's the difference. In those days Mintoff asked CSCE for a "Mediterranean Union" paper, not HOW it should be done but people on your side booed him! He is now being vindicated. It seems that, despite you living away from our Island, in an ex-British Colony, the saying "History repeats itslef" does not come to ur mind or it comes only when it suits you. There is a huge difference from mentioning and learning th\from the past and living in it. We MLP supporters are NOT anchored in the past. It is your way of labelling those with whom you do not agree that is anchored to the past i.e. pre-war politics in Italy and not-so-long ago in Spain!

Joe Martinelli (3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Joe Borg, Libya's friendship is worth changing governments for? Since you think that Libya prefers Labour, why did it send gun boats when Malta tried to drill in the disputed area? Was that not during a Labour government?

Joseph Grech-Attard should remember that the event he brings up is over 37 years ago. Wars were fought and won - or lost - countries change their policies and what applied years ago may no longer be valid today.

Both these gentlemen illustrate very clearly why the MLP will not change. Having one's mind anchored in the past is not conducive to tackling the future with confidence.

joe borg (3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Dear Minister...you might as well forget Libyan friendship....they don't trust Gonzipn at all..they are very aware of the grudge Gonzipn holds against Libyans in general...so please don't get carried away too far...the air around the meeting place must have been pretty heavy.

Joe Gatt (3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Let's make sure that this so-called Mediterranean Union does not include -- or even envisage for the distant future -- the free movement of people across borders. If it does, Europe, including Malta, will be inundated by millions of Third World immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East.

The mass immigration taking place now is bad enough!

Joseph Grech-Attard (3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Regarding the "Union for the Mediterranean" maybe we could do well in getting well-acquianted Dom Montoff's policies during the 1971 Helsinki CSCE conference, when he was booed by fellow Maltese in the Opposition. 37 byears have passed and we are now talking again about the importance of unity in the mediterranean. Mintoff's views still hold today.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Friday, May 16, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Foreign Minister in Tripoli talks

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