Oil exploration: Libya, Italy, Malta to discuss maritime limits
Libya, Italy and Malta are to hold a meeting in the near future on the delineation of the continental shelf for oil exploration purposes, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said this morning.
He made the comment after Libyan Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgem, who is currently in Malta, said that the problem on the delineation of the maritime border were not directly between Libya and Malta but between Malta, Libya and Italy and Malta, Libya and Tunisia.
Mr Shalgem said Libya was prepared to discuss this issue in detail, including proposed joint oil exploration between Libya and Malta.
He said that other issues which would be discussed in his current visit included a double taxation agreement and illegal migration.
On the former, the minister said an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation was needed so that more Maltese companies could form joint ventures in Libya and benefit from the major infrastructural development programme currently under way there.
Turning to migration, he said Libya had an 'invasion' of migrants and was facing problems which were similar to Malta's. He also mentioned the agreement reached between Italy and Libya on migration as an indicator of how the problem was being tackled.
Mr Shalgem praised the recent visit to Tripoli by President Eddie Fenech Adami, saying it was an important point in bilateral relations.
During his short visit Mr Shalgem is meeting Dr Borg, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and President Eddie Fenech Adami.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
11 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
D. Baldacchino
Nov 1st 2008, 00:12
I can't help feeling like a one of those puppets, at the mercy of a loony bunch of ventriloquists.
what a show that makes out for!
john fenech
Oct 29th 2008, 17:11
Dear Minister since 1981 Malta’s only stumbling block in oil exploration always originated from your country. As regard the illegal immigrants your country has receiving funds from the EU to secure your borders. While all we are having from your country are the illegal immigrants who today are surplus to your needs! And all this in the name of friendship, what would we expect if we were your enemy?
Kevin Zammit
Oct 29th 2008, 16:31
@Joe Camilleri
You hit the nail right on its head.
I don't understand why we have to deal with Libya over delineation ... they seem to know where their border is when they want to to.
I don't understand this attitude. Libya is still a very small country as is Malta. Large land mass but a small country population wise. Even Tunisia is much bigger. We should be working together as was the case in Tourism having resulted in one of the most successfull world wide chains.
louise vella
Oct 29th 2008, 15:03
“Turning to migration, he (Libyan minister) said Libya had an 'invasion' of migrants and was facing problems which were similar to Malta's.”
NOT similar to Malta’s. Years ago Ghaddafi invited sub-Saharan Africans to Libya to show that Libya belongs to Africa. If Libya has changed its mind, it could ask the EU to help it seal its land borders with other African countries and repatriate those already on its soil.
The minister is right to say ‘invasion’. On June 8, 2008, a Maltese newspaper (Malta Independent on Sunday) published an article ‘Illegal immigrants continue to flood in’ where it wrote: “We cannot receive more illegal immigrants than we are getting”, Dr Gonzi was reported to have said. “This is an invasion”.
“He (Libyan minister) also mentioned the agreement reached between Italy and Libya on migration as an indicator of how the problem was being tackled.”
Tackled? Berlusconi said that following the agreement Italy would be “getting more oil and less clandestini”. It has been getting more and more clandestini, especially in Lampedusa. The Libyan minister should show that Libya is as good as its word. Otherwise some people may think they are always joking.
c.meilaq
Oct 29th 2008, 14:58
he(Mr. Mohamed Shalgem) said Libya had an 'invasion' of migrants and was facing problems which were similar to Malta's.
This is not true. Libya is hosting these migrants and employing them. If it wants libya can repatriate the migrants as it knows where they're coming from.
Mr Shalgem said Libya was prepared to discuss this issue in detail, including proposed joint oil exploration between Libya and Malta.
Why should we share what is ours by right with any other nation? Does libya share what belongs to it with anyone else?
This is where mntoff's influence should come in. When mintoff was in power he was unable to solve this crisis. In fact it was during his tenure that libya became aggressive and threatened us with her navy.
John Portelli
Oct 29th 2008, 12:44
Ahh so it's ok for the Maltese government to have talks and shake with Libyans,But if right wingers have talks with Libyans it's evil.Anyway this is a meeting with zero outcome as always with the Libyans. As if they care, give me 1 reason why they should.
m cassar
Oct 29th 2008, 12:03
AHHH yes dear so called "friends" now that you know of the potential oil stike, you want to make efforts to "solve" this problem and jointly explore for oil... HELLO !!!!! if the oil is in the Malta area NO JOINT anything !!!
l Galea
Oct 29th 2008, 11:59
If Libya has problems with illegal immigrants it's because they opened their frontiers with the other countries and allowed the illegal immigrants unrestricted entry into Libya.
It is far easier for Libya to repatriate the illegal immigrants since they have land borders with the rest of the African countries than allowing them to cross over to Malta.
Let's hope that Libya starts repatriating the illegal immigrants that are in Libya back to their own countries.
This will go some way to improving its image with Malta and the rest of the European countries.
V.Micallef
Oct 29th 2008, 11:27
@ Tony Cassar
No need to worry too much. Bet nothing will come out of this meeting.
Joe Camilleri
Oct 29th 2008, 11:23
Simple, the delineation border should be the same border that the maltese govt is obliged to pick up illegal imigrants .
Tony Cassar
Oct 29th 2008, 10:33
What cheek!!!!
Does this Libyan Minister expect Malta to pay Libya to stop the boats laden with illegal immigrants from leaving its shores like the Italians did? (or have tried doing?)