Bridging Malta-Libya divides
Relations between Malta and Libya may not have been as smooth as one wishes them to be in recent weeks. Relatively minor hiccups appear to have been smoothed out. Two bigger issues have yet to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. These relate to...
Relations between Malta and Libya may not have been as smooth as one wishes them to be in recent weeks. Relatively minor hiccups appear to have been smoothed out. Two bigger issues have yet to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. These relate to concerted action by Mediterranean countries of the northern and southern littoral to deal with the waves of boat people who try to cross towards Europe and frequently end up in Malta, among other places.
The second very substantial issue relates to the claims by the two countries about rights to explore for oil in the common sea between them.
Tentative progress seemed imminent through the involvement of Libya with the EU to address the boat people situation. The possibility, always tenuous, was all but swept away after the recent general election in Italy and Silvio Berlusconi's return to office. Mr Berlusconi had enjoyed a very close relationship with Muammar Gaddafi, auguring well for still closer lucrative business relations between the two countries.
Libya, however, tried to influence Mr Berlusconi against appointing Northern League MP Roberto Calderoli to his new Cabinet. Two years ago Mr Calderoli had sported a T-shirt with a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed in a manner that caused huge umbrage within Muslim countries, not least Libya. Mr Calderoli also made comments which Libyans, particularly those in Benghazi, felt reflected badly on Muslims.
Prime Minister Berlusconi went ahead and gave Mr Calderoli a ministerial post. Diplomatic relations between Italy and Libya immediately took a nosedive, with cooperation on boat people one of the immediate victims, as Libya signalled it was pulling out of them, with repercussions on Malta as well.
An interview by the Libyan ambassador to Malta with The Sunday Times (June 1) threw more positive light on the unfolding situation. Saad El Shalami said that a (fresh) apology by Mr Calderoli some days ago had closed the chapter. The minister "got the message" said the ambassador. This time Mr Calderoli was clearer in saying that he did not think (his actions) would offend people "in this way". "After this apology we consider the issue to be over."
The ambassador delved more deeply into the wider implications of the would-be immigrants braving hardship and the possibility of cruel death in the Mediterranean to seek a new beginning. He reiterated the Libyan position that the problem starts with waves of would-be immigrants crossing into Libya and other North African countries across the Sahara, from Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan and elsewhere. Action to stop unwanted immigration had to start on the long Sahara border. On its part Libya needed and expected technical help from the EU to be able to make a noteworthy effort to deter Sahara crossings, which eventually transform into attempts to cross the Mediterranean by desperate boat people.
This is an issue far beyond Malta's control. The island has only limited political influence, as an EU member, on the outcome regarding efforts to control it. Meanwhile, Malta can only receive with good grace boat people who end up needing help in our territorial waters, and treating them as humanely as can be, perhaps more so than it has been doing to date. While contributing to and sharing in the EU stance, Malta has to take into account the Libyan exposition of its end of the persistent situation.
When it comes to the other major issue still outstanding between the two countries, action can be much more direct. Action on oil exploration has to be bilateral, but has been elusive to achieve over the years. The subject of oil exploration had even led to a rapture of the very close relationship which Prime Minister Mintoff had with Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi and Libya in the 1970s and early 1980s. A way forward was finally found not through a direct agreement, but through an eventual arrangement to refer the issue to arbitration in 1984.
Twenty-four years on the two countries are still in dispute over the demarcation line of the continental shelf between them. Last week Deputy and Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told the House of Representatives that he was expecting an "imminent breakthrough" with Libya in the dispute. The ambassador gave somewhat more sober details in the interview with The Sunday Times.
The paper asked Mr El Shalmani whether Minister Tonio Borg's statement meant that we could see a joint exploration deal soon. He replied that the issue was raised in April, during a meeting between Minister Borg, his Libyan counterpart as foreign minister and the deputy prime minister.
From past experience, said the ambassador, we could either go to the international court like we did in 1984, or explore the possibility of a joint exploration. Suggesting that there might be some considerable way to go yet, Mr El Shalmani said that, he thought "we will start with discussion how we can work together, by having technical people and professionals, who really know the situation from the point of international law or with regard to the geography, meet here or in Libya... We will have a discussion."
If there was no agreement, one of the sides can then decide it can go to the international court. "But I think that given the good relationship between the two countries there is a basis for agreement on joint exploration." There was such an agreement with Tunisia, so why not with Malta?
Why not indeed. A clear indication that agreement could be near would be given if a date is set for a state visit to Malta by President Gaddafi. The visit has been on the cards for quite a long time. His coming this year is no more than a possibility. Mr El Shalami said to The Sunday Times: "I don't have any details to be honest, but I think this year he will come."
That is careful diplomatic speak: nothing is definite, yet it would become definite once the ground is clearer of outstanding issues.
In the context of Malta's close relationship with Libya, and our neighbour's economic progress, it would be of mutual benefit if issues are resolved. There are a lot of opportunities for both countries to exploit to mutual benefit.
The second very substantial issue relates to the claims by the two countries about rights to explore for oil in the common sea between them.
Tentative progress seemed imminent through the involvement of Libya with the EU to address the boat people situation. The possibility, always tenuous, was all but swept away after the recent general election in Italy and Silvio Berlusconi's return to office. Mr Berlusconi had enjoyed a very close relationship with Muammar Gaddafi, auguring well for still closer lucrative business relations between the two countries.
Libya, however, tried to influence Mr Berlusconi against appointing Northern League MP Roberto Calderoli to his new Cabinet. Two years ago Mr Calderoli had sported a T-shirt with a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammed in a manner that caused huge umbrage within Muslim countries, not least Libya. Mr Calderoli also made comments which Libyans, particularly those in Benghazi, felt reflected badly on Muslims.
Prime Minister Berlusconi went ahead and gave Mr Calderoli a ministerial post. Diplomatic relations between Italy and Libya immediately took a nosedive, with cooperation on boat people one of the immediate victims, as Libya signalled it was pulling out of them, with repercussions on Malta as well.
An interview by the Libyan ambassador to Malta with The Sunday Times (June 1) threw more positive light on the unfolding situation. Saad El Shalami said that a (fresh) apology by Mr Calderoli some days ago had closed the chapter. The minister "got the message" said the ambassador. This time Mr Calderoli was clearer in saying that he did not think (his actions) would offend people "in this way". "After this apology we consider the issue to be over."
The ambassador delved more deeply into the wider implications of the would-be immigrants braving hardship and the possibility of cruel death in the Mediterranean to seek a new beginning. He reiterated the Libyan position that the problem starts with waves of would-be immigrants crossing into Libya and other North African countries across the Sahara, from Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan and elsewhere. Action to stop unwanted immigration had to start on the long Sahara border. On its part Libya needed and expected technical help from the EU to be able to make a noteworthy effort to deter Sahara crossings, which eventually transform into attempts to cross the Mediterranean by desperate boat people.
This is an issue far beyond Malta's control. The island has only limited political influence, as an EU member, on the outcome regarding efforts to control it. Meanwhile, Malta can only receive with good grace boat people who end up needing help in our territorial waters, and treating them as humanely as can be, perhaps more so than it has been doing to date. While contributing to and sharing in the EU stance, Malta has to take into account the Libyan exposition of its end of the persistent situation.
When it comes to the other major issue still outstanding between the two countries, action can be much more direct. Action on oil exploration has to be bilateral, but has been elusive to achieve over the years. The subject of oil exploration had even led to a rapture of the very close relationship which Prime Minister Mintoff had with Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi and Libya in the 1970s and early 1980s. A way forward was finally found not through a direct agreement, but through an eventual arrangement to refer the issue to arbitration in 1984.
Twenty-four years on the two countries are still in dispute over the demarcation line of the continental shelf between them. Last week Deputy and Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told the House of Representatives that he was expecting an "imminent breakthrough" with Libya in the dispute. The ambassador gave somewhat more sober details in the interview with The Sunday Times.
The paper asked Mr El Shalmani whether Minister Tonio Borg's statement meant that we could see a joint exploration deal soon. He replied that the issue was raised in April, during a meeting between Minister Borg, his Libyan counterpart as foreign minister and the deputy prime minister.
From past experience, said the ambassador, we could either go to the international court like we did in 1984, or explore the possibility of a joint exploration. Suggesting that there might be some considerable way to go yet, Mr El Shalmani said that, he thought "we will start with discussion how we can work together, by having technical people and professionals, who really know the situation from the point of international law or with regard to the geography, meet here or in Libya... We will have a discussion."
If there was no agreement, one of the sides can then decide it can go to the international court. "But I think that given the good relationship between the two countries there is a basis for agreement on joint exploration." There was such an agreement with Tunisia, so why not with Malta?
Why not indeed. A clear indication that agreement could be near would be given if a date is set for a state visit to Malta by President Gaddafi. The visit has been on the cards for quite a long time. His coming this year is no more than a possibility. Mr El Shalami said to The Sunday Times: "I don't have any details to be honest, but I think this year he will come."
That is careful diplomatic speak: nothing is definite, yet it would become definite once the ground is clearer of outstanding issues.
In the context of Malta's close relationship with Libya, and our neighbour's economic progress, it would be of mutual benefit if issues are resolved. There are a lot of opportunities for both countries to exploit to mutual benefit.