EU urged to resolve spat between Libya and Switzerland
The EU should urgently take all possible measures to resolve the outstanding diplomatic spat between Libya and Switzerland, MEP Simon Busuttil said when addressing the plenary of the European Parliament.
The spat was causing significant problems to EU citizens who were being prevented from travelling to Libya.
Dr Busuttil said: "The EU has nothing to do with this and there is no reason why EU citizens should suffer as a result."
He referred to the threat to the livelihood of EU workers in Libya who were unable to travel to that country to get to their job.
Equally, EU investors in Libya were unable to send workers on the ground. In the meantime, workers who were already in Libya were trying to stay there as long as they could to substitute those who could not travel there, but there was a limit to how long they could stay.
All this created significant problems and inconvenience to EU citizens who were the victims of a row between two non-EU countries, Dr Busuttil said.
He strongly urged the European Commission to intervene in the matter and seek a solution as soon as possible.
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C.Buttigieg
Mar 9th 2010, 20:39
The biggest problem we Maltese workers in Libya and also our employers are facing is the fact that there is a total lack of information being given, The employers are thinking of starting to employ people from outside the Shengen area to replace us.
I think that it is about time that the government made a statement of what if anything is being done to rectify the situation with the Libyan government. This would give us, our families and our employers more peace of mind.
Mark Spiteri
Mar 9th 2010, 19:43
I totally agree with the intervention and comments of MEP Simon Busutill. EU has been put in the middle of political row between a Non EU European country and the North African country with the result most EU countries are suffering.If pulling out of the Schengen block resolves the problem, so be it. The island would be better off keeping close ties with Libya then Switzerland who untill this moment have done nothing to try and resolve the issue, a case of pure arrogrance from a country who boosts to keep peace with the rest of the world. This is a delicate issue which should be solved immediately before its to late for thousands of workers to loose there job.
a.dalli
Mar 9th 2010, 18:00
It seems that Libya prefers to have Italy and the US plus others as trading partners.
Italy because of its long historical ties - including the incarciration of Libyan nations, Killing of Libyan nationals and the Exile of Libyan nationals. Libya has a special day reserved for the Italians - 26th October.
The US on the otherhand were the prime movers to impose economic sanctions on Libya and later on the bombardment of Libyan villages by the US.
Malta has no such historical events vis a vis Libya.
Norman Zammit
Mar 9th 2010, 12:24
what I can't understand is how come the Italians are being let into Libya whilst the Maltese are being sent back. And we who are working here are stuck here! Something is not right in this scenario. We should have a closer relationship with Libya than Italy as far as I knew!
J.Borg
Mar 9th 2010, 12:22
And yet we still are slaves to libya letting them do what they want with us. Why doesn't Malta close visas to all libyans ? Its only fair.
Roberto Buontempo
Mar 9th 2010, 11:51
Well, what can I say? It's good that these things are discussed at high level, however, we want to see some concrete actions. Many people are practically stuck in Libya. In the meantime the saga continues.....until the next bit of news.....which will be more talk and more talk...
Joseph Ellis
Mar 9th 2010, 11:35
About time too ! Where's Baroness Ashton ? Is she still decorating her Brussels office ?