Thursday, 30th October 2008

Malta to discuss migration and oil with Libya and Italy

Libya, Italy and Malta will hold talks next month on illegal immigration and the delineation of the continental shelf for oil exploration purposes, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday.

The meetings were decided during talks between Dr Borg and his Libyan counter Al Abdel-Rahman Shalgam yesterday. Following the meeting, the government announced that tripartite meetings will be held by the end of the year and that a double taxation agreement would be signed between Malta and Libya by the end of the year.

The ministers also dealt with the thorny issue of Libya's fishing conservation zone. When enforced in 2006, it had forced Maltese fishermen out of traditional fishing grounds.

The government yesterday again requested that Maltese boats be given a licence to operate in the zone. "The Libyan side promised to study the request according to the Libyan legislation in force in this field."

Speaking before the meeting Mr Shalgam said that the oil drilling issue was a multi-lateral issue involving Malta, Italy, Libya and Tunisia.

Speaking on illegal migration, he said that what is a problem for Malta is an "invasion" for Libya.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Saturday, November 21, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

louise vella (on 30/10/08)

"Speaking on illegal migration, he (the Libyan minister) said that what is a problem for Malta is an "invasion" for Libya."

For Malta it is an invasion too. Gonzi said so. A Maltese newspaper (The Malta Independent on Sunday) wrote on 8 June 2008: "We cannot receive more illegal immigrants than we are getting," Dr Gonzi was reported to have said. "This is an invasion".

Malta's invasion originates in Libya. Libya is a police state. Nobody can leave Libya if the government does not want him to leave. The outflow of illegal immigrants from Libya is organised by criminal organisations of traffickers in human beings and, if the Libyan government wanted to, it can stop them tomorrow.

l Galea (on 30/10/08)

Mr Al Abdel-Rahman Shalgam
you have land borders with the rest of the African continent.
It is therefore very easy for you to repatriate the illegal immigrants in your country.
Why are you not doing so?

Joe Morana (on 30/10/08)

The Libyan Foreign Minister is giving us the same old 'song and dance' when it comes to his country's ability to control its borders. His government is quite capable of preventing illegal entry and deporting those who are already in his country illegally. Furthermore, he has made no mention of his country's efforts in arresting and prosecuting human traffickers. The issue of illegal immigration should in no way be linked to discussions on joint oil exploration efforts also involving Italy, when Italy and Libya already have an agreement on illegal immigration.

Steve Rogers (on 30/10/08)

"Speaking on illegal migration, he said that what is a problem for Malta is an "invasion" for Libya."

When foreigners invade one's country that means they enter and occupy your national territory (as is the case in Malta). In Libya it means when foreigners leave their country!!!

I can see these talks going far with this line of thinking.....