Decision expected within months on joint oil exploration with Libya
Malta government officials this afternoon expressed optimism that a longstanding issue with Libya over oil exploration in waters disputed between the two countries would be decided by the autumn.
The issue was among subjects discussed by President Eddie Fenech Adami and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi today. Officials said afterwards that there was a commitment for political decisions to be taken on this issue. A joint commission is due to meet in October.
Malta has been seeking an agreement for joint exploration of those waters, on the lines of a similar agreement with Tunisia. In the 1980s a Libyan gunboat had stopped an Italian oil rig commissioned by Malta from drilling in the Medina Bank, one of the disputed areas. That issue was later decided by the International Court of Justice, but the ruling did not cover the delineation of other areas of the continental shelf between the two countries.
Other issues discussed included illegal immigration, including better coordination of rescues in the search and rescue areas of the two countries.
President Fenech Adami described his meeting with Colonel Gaddafi as cordial and fruitful.
The talks were held in a tent in Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli shortly after President Fenech Adami started a two-day official visit. The Maltese delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Tonio Borg and Social Policy Minister John Dalli, also had meetings with the Libyan Prime Minister.
Other subjects discussed included the delineation of waters between the two countries for fishing purposes.
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R.Spagnol
Aug 1st 2008, 11:29
bla bla bla, very funny at all!!!!.....................attacking Mr.Sultana for imposing an obvious question. EFA is the only person in Malta who knows what has secretly happened with Libya, each time he was a PM and the oil issue war raised. Gaddafi might have reminded him of his famous U-Turns concerning oil exploration - first excluding any existance of oil in Malta and then burning a larger sum of money to drill further.
If James Sultana is totally wrong, at least he recognised immediately the fact that Gonzi should be there. Apparently he would be in Libya next October.
Simple enoungh to prove Mr.Sultana.
Victor Vella
Jul 31st 2008, 21:48
@James Sultana, This is the goverment Malta has for the next 5 years, so lump it
Marc Pisani
Jul 31st 2008, 10:06
James James James,
You would have found something negative to say even if Gonzi, Austin or anyone else went... If you have to criticise everything, at least do so constructively...
Alexander Grima
Jul 31st 2008, 08:59
Mr James Sultana ... Perhaps you would like to enlighten us all?!
Joe Galea
Jul 31st 2008, 07:58
I remember Fenech Adami in 1998 pre-election mass meeting @ Luxol shouting, "We don't have oil..bla bla bla" (to ridicule Alfred Sant).......and those who attended the meeting intelligently rejoiced into a loud woo and cheering, as they were proud that Malta will never find oil.
What a farce!!!
Joseph Attard
Jul 31st 2008, 07:09
With the Libyans , its who they get to like, and John Dalli has many freinds there, and for all us MAltese, Id pprefer MLP s Karmenu Vella to handle all Issues with Libya, im sure hed go far beyond anyone else can, he has the charisma ability and has a retinue of long standing freindships there...... lets forget protocol here and for once stand up and do something for Malta first!
carmelo briffa
Jul 31st 2008, 07:03
I personally feels that since Malta joined the EU then it is not all Maltese problem where is the media line between Libya and Malta .It is also EU's responsibility to help her EU's members such as Malta in such difficulties. I am sure that if EU council want to help with regards that Malta wants its rights with Libya they can help. There are sanctions and all kinds of threats to make against Col Gaddafi.
James Sultana
Jul 30th 2008, 23:01
Since when the President of Malta is taking care of these issues and discussions ? How can he talk about something when he isn`t involved at all in the Government policies and is not even part of the cabinet ?? Why didn`t Dr. Gonzi attend ? Any particular reason ?
And what about John Dalli`s presence in the delegation ? What does he have to do with oil exploration and foreign policy ? NOTHING.
Joe Vella
Jul 30th 2008, 22:17
@ Chris Borg
The search and rescue area that Malta is responsable for goes beyond the Maltese territorial waters. There are the benefits and disadvantages to this. Search and resuce sea areas are also compromise, in addition to one country's territorial seas, of sea area that do not fall under any country's territorial sees.
Chris Borg
Jul 30th 2008, 20:46
Since the main issues discussed seem to have been immigration and oil exploration, I wonder if the area in dispute falls in the Maltese Search and Rescue area?
Michael Debono
Jul 30th 2008, 20:06
The official communiqué could have been written before the talks started. Common place diplomatic statements.
Only time will tell.
charles caruana carabez
Jul 30th 2008, 18:27
Let me be the first to thank our President and his delegation for all the trouble they took to give prominence to major problems afflicing our little island home. I am truly grateful to them, and hope that they have found a peaceful and sensible way to resolve them.