Updated; Malta offers AFM participation in Libya-Italy migration patrols
Malta has offered participation by AFM personnel should joint patrols against illegal immigration be started between Italy and Libya, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said today.
Speaking in Rome after a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, he said that the patrols are expected to start in May. They would be useful to Malta, he said, because the patrols would be carried out within Libyan territorial waters which was different from rescuing migrants in distress in international waters.
Dr Borg said the issue of illegal migration is also expected to be discussed in Tripoli by Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and he too expectedc to have a meeting with the Libyan Foreign Minister.
Dr Borg is accompanying President Fenech Adami who today met Italian President Georgio Napolitano.
Dr Borg said the focus of talks was bilateral relations, illegal migration and regional cooperation.
The Foreign Minister this morning had a meeting with Under-Secretary Vincenzo Scotti during which they signed an updated double taxation avoidance agreement. The first agreement was signed in 1981.
Dr Borg said the updated agreement would further encourage and facilitate business relations between the two countries and improve cooperation on taxation issues.
Italy is one of Malta’s most important trading partners. Malta imported €802 million in products from Italy last year while exports had a value of €102 million. There are 25 Italian companies in Malta.
Sig Scotti said Malta had been invited and would attend a trade promotion meeting with Latin American countries in December. The meeting will be held in Milan.
President Eddie Fenech Adami will have an audience with Pope Benedict tomorrow.
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John Zammit
Mar 14th 2009, 00:11
Italy and Malta would be too naive not to know that the Libyan Government is complicit in the illegal Moslem migration to Italy and Malta. It is a hidden Agenda to establish a significant Moslem Community in Southern Europe's soft target.
john micallef
Mar 13th 2009, 17:30
i guess that IF the P61 is operational it would be good to start patrolling those areas AND HEAD THE IMMIGRANTS BACK TO LIBYAN SOIL. but IF the P61 is operational, for the last 5 months, i've seen it day after day berthed at haywharf. i guess, this flagship is only used to occupy berth and not as an offshore patrol craft as promised by the politicians when it was brought over!!!
v.pulis
Mar 13th 2009, 16:34
Speaking in Rome after a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, he said that the patrols are expected to start in May.
Why do I have AN UNCANNY FEELING THAT THEY WILL NOT START?!
Joseph Sammut (Ta' Harrbat)
Mar 13th 2009, 15:46
Am really curious to see how the Italian establishment is going to involve Maltese assets in joint-patrolling. If they don't donate another Diciotti-class offshore patrol boat, the AFM will find it hard to cope so far afield, considering the near 18-month plus overhaul to its flagship P-61.
And this when considering that the Italians are ALREADY patrolling well the southern approaches to Malta, as any fisherman will tell you. Their navy, Guardia di Finanza, Coast Guard and Carabinieri assets are all so numerous, better equiped and with over-the-horizon surveillance capabilities, are keeping tabs on all that's headed northwards towards Europe.
The pay-off to Libya for war-reparations and other agreements reached are still to yield tangible benefits. And there's no guarantee Malta will be caught up positively in this either, as the problem displacement of migration flows from Lampedusa/ Sicily may be offset onto Malta instead.
Bottom line remains: engage Libya forcibly to get its act together, weed out/ eliminate those corrupt elements in its government, and then solve Africa's problems in Africa, not in Marsa, B'Bugia, Hal Far, the Peace Lab, or Safi Barracks!
Remember the new social ills of ghettoes, or novel crime types Malta Police aren't aware of.
lgalea
Mar 13th 2009, 13:46
Agree only on the condition that any illegal immigrants are forthwith taken to Libya and not brought here.
Joseph Calleja
Mar 13th 2009, 13:40
It is not so hard to deal with Italy, the big problem is dealing with Libya. It's like putting the wolf in charge of the sheep! If it's true that all these illegal immigrants are originating out of Libya, then Libya could have put a stop to all this long time ago, on their own. They are only co-operating with Italy because of the ransom money Italy paid them. Can Malta afford the price?.
Kenneth Galea
Mar 13th 2009, 12:15
Tonio Borg what chance does Malta have if the joint patrols between Italy and Libya have not yet taken place???????? I was under the impression an agreement was reached and the patrols already started. It just shows you that Libya is guilty of this illegal immigration and punishing the EU by opening the flood gates to these illegals. Libya seems to be above the law and the Libyans will find a way to keep numerous loopholes open. Saga continues.