Libya warns Europe over energy interests
European countries locked in a diplomatic row with Libya should remember that their energy firms have interests in the North African country, Libya's top energy official said in an interview.
Libya has stopped issuing entry visas to citizens of most European countries in retaliation for Switzerland barring entry to senior Libyans including leader Muammar Gaddafi and members of his family.
"We hope this crisis will be resolved," Shokri Ghanem, the head of Libya's state energy firm NOC and the country's OPEC representative, told Reuters in an interview late on Sunday.
"Regarding the oil sector, we think European companies have many interests in Libya and these countries should know their interests," Ghanem said.
"They should also think of these interests and investments in energy because good relations with Libya would help European companies run their businesses in Libya easily," he said.
European energy firms with investments in Libya, home to Africa's largest proven oil reserves, include BP, Italy's ENI and Spain's Repsol.
Ghanem had previously warned that the business interests of U.S. firms could be damaged over the diplomatic row, but he has not before made any public mention of repercussions for European companies.
He issued the warning to U.S. firms including ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil after a U.S. official made an acerbic comment about a speech in which Gaddafi called for a "jihad" against Switzerland.
However, that dispute appears to have been resolved after the U.S. official apologised for his remarks and the apology was accepted by Tripoli.
Libya's long-running spat with Switzerland -- which is at the heart of the dispute with European countries -- began in July 2008 when police in Geneva arrested one of Gaddafi's sons, Hannibal, at a luxury lakeside hotel.
The charges, of mistreating two domestic employees, were later dropped but the arrest angered Libya, which halted oil exports to Switzerland and withdrew its deposits from Swiss banks in protest.
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Ahmed Marwan
Mar 17th 2010, 18:28
@John Micallef
Thank you very much.
And Thanks for all those people who know how to talk and know Libya and not just judging other people because of a minority who are not good examples.
I hope that everything will be solved very soon and everyone will get back to his/her job.
Thanks again
Peace
Mark Satariano
Mar 16th 2010, 07:26
Many readers speak aboout "SOLIDARITY". I wonder, where is Solidarity amongst us Maltese ? It seems that taking the side of the Non-Maltese has over-ridden our common sense and judgement. I have even been branded as selfish by those who think they have nothing to loose. Maybe they are right, frankly at the moment, I just feel betrayed.
Maria Aquilina
Mar 16th 2010, 00:47
I had the opportunity to visit Libya on a business trip.I can reassure you that Libya is very welcoming and has very similar habits to our Maltese culture.People are friendly and lead a peaceful life.Mr Marwan rightly said that Maltese working in Libya spend their income in Malta.Around 400 Maltese citizens, workers and business men work in Libya.A Maltese lowest pay in Libya is around Eur3000 a month.More than half earn around Eur5500 a month.I am no mathematician nor an economist but I can do my own homework and come with an approximate sum of Eur2,000,000 a month.This is an injection into our economy that no one is willing to lose, not with this global recession.So please do not consider maltese workers as selfish, consider their effort in working in a foreign country,unable to bring up their own children as you do, far away from home, just because there are not enough jobs on this isle.They bring home money for our economy to keep the big wheel of business turning.No Maltese government is willing to have another 400 unemployed on their lists, so let our politicians/foreign affairs ministers do their jobs and stop talking of being manipulated by Libya.
T. Krysto
Mar 15th 2010, 23:30
I am really sorry for all the people which are worried about there jobs. But to work in a country which has a dictatorial regime is always a risk. And it is not the first time that Mr. Gaddafi is freakish. And to call for a "jihad" against Switzerland is unacceptable.
Franco Farrugia
Mar 15th 2010, 22:43
@Fiona Zahra: No need to 'shout' at people by using caps - we can read you even if you are polite. That having been said, the problem remains in Libya! So, in your opinion, just because Libya gives jobs to many people, Libya should do what it pleases, the Colonel's son can do as he pleases in Europe witout any control ... is that it? Just because Libya gives us work, everything is fine with it? Really? Sorry: I don't agree with you.
John Micallef
Mar 15th 2010, 21:04
@ Mr Ahmed Marwan.
Well done, in a small paragraph you have perfectly expalined the scenario.
Keep it up with your English Eh
FIONA ZAHRA
Mar 15th 2010, 20:14
@DENIS CATANIA STOP BEING SELFISH FOR WHAT? COS WE ARE WORRIED FOR OUR JOBS , WE SHOULD GIVE IN TO LIBYA COS WE MAKE OUR LIVING FROM HERE. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE IN RISK OF LOOSING YOUR JOB, WILL SEE IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT TO YOUR BOSS!
Ahmed Marwan
Mar 15th 2010, 19:17
I would like to clear somethings for some Maltese who do not really understand the relation between Libya - Malta. It is not only for businessmen, but even for Malta itself. If the work of businessmen, who earn 100s of thousands and may be millions a year stop then these money that would have been spent here in Malta making the total investment and expenditure high, would diappear, this will have an effect on prices here in Malta, as the total expenditure fall prices go up to make up for the deficit. Maltese and forenigers working in Libya make alot of money, a normal worker makes up to 800 euros in hand aweek without overtime, that is 41,600 euros a year let alone a businessman. Some people have a narrow mind and a small angle of thinking. They look at Libya as an Arab country and Arabs are not good people and all these rubbish. I ask all those people who work in Libya to write in their comments 2 or 3 lines explaining the situation in Libya and how do they find it and feel about it. Thanks for reading
John Micallef
Mar 15th 2010, 18:04
@ Deins Catania. We ended up in Libya, as the heaven we have been promissed named EU by your lovely government before the referendum does not have jobs for us!! How many Malta Shipyards have been given an alternative in the EU?? I wonder who is being selfish at this point!!!
C Cassar
Mar 15th 2010, 17:38
@ Mark Satariano: Many, many more people in Malta work in Schengen countries. Additionally, many, many more companies based in the Schengen area do business with Malta and Malta is part of the EU. Therefore any decision based on economic grounds should favour those from Malta associated with the Schengen zone, not a north African state such as Libya. Your income hasn't even been affected because as you state, you are still in Libya. So, don't be so selfish. If you want to see sense then move your business intereste to the Schengen zone like the majority of Maltese (and other Europeans).
Franco Farrugia
Mar 15th 2010, 16:28
@ Mr Satariano: I understand your predicament, but that does not mean that you are right. Heaven forbid that we now start doing politics according to our pockets. Libya is Libya and everyone working there and investing there, knows and is aware about the dangers!
Frank Andersen
Mar 15th 2010, 16:27
Malta's independence remains in question if it gives in to threats from Libya which threats have already deprived us of oil and now of freedom of travel. It is time that Malta asserts its sovereignity on its continental shelf and begins to seriously search for hydrocarbons rather then rely on Libya. Otherwise Malta has to contend with the status of 'midget state' and vassal state of Libya. Perhaps Malta should resurrect its old slogan of 'Switzerland of the Mediterranean'!
Martin Mangion
Mar 15th 2010, 16:27
I have in the past had the pleasure to meet with Mr. Ghanem - he was Prime Minister of Libya a few years ago. The man is an intelligent and knowledgebale person. He is firm in what he thinks and firm in what he says. The message he is sending is a very direct and clear one and I am sure the related business leaders understand his message. One of our President emeritus had met Mr. Ghanem and knows this man. It would not be a bad idea for this person to give Mr. Ghanem a call/visit. (unless he had a sour meeting then). Malta should in this regard, catetgorically and without any hesitation support Libya in its actions. Libya is a very important, and strategic neighbour. All western countries including America are making all efforts (in their buisness interest) to have a good rapport with Libya. We must not let this opportunity go by, where we can demonstrate to the Libyan governement that we are truely and heartfully on their side. Libya will never forget our actions. We must keep in mind that historically our business interest and workforce have always played a pivital part in our economy.
Ray Sammut
Mar 15th 2010, 16:12
Marcelo Kohen, a professor of international law at Geneva's Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, said that: “Bern chose the wrong strategy. In doing so, Libya was merely retaliating to rather unjustified Swiss government's decision to blacklist 186 Libyans. The government of Switzerland dragged the whole of the EU countries into unnecessary over exaggerated illegal dispute with an ever friendly Libya where these Europeans are finding ample business opportunities Knowing that Bern was acting irresponsibly and continuously failing to solve a problem that should have been solved long ago, Italy, Spain and Malta moved to help mediate between Tripoli and Bern. The Swiss blacklist against Libyans is a crime. How can you describe such a list that includes the name of a child less than three years old as a terrorist? A move by Switzerland to impose Europe-wide visa restrictions against nearly 200 prominent Libyans will backfire. Many major companies today in EU have large Libyan shares. Doe's anyone realize what jump in unemployment this will cause in the countries involved with immediate consequences? That defeats the purpose of the Schengen agreement” - a Geneva-based expert tells swissinfo.ch
Mark Satariano
Mar 15th 2010, 15:59
Just to inform Mr. A. Spiteri, that I am not a business man that has benifited from our good relations with Libya. I am just a plain worker, earning my Livelihood from Libya. In my opinion Messrs. Spiteri's & Grech's views do not constitute good foreign policy, they are just Cowboy politics, remminisent of the Bush era. History has proved that this kind of policy will not bear any fruit , just hatred, division and kaos.
Denis Catania
Mar 15th 2010, 15:43
@Mark Satariano: So the world should give in to Libya just because you work there. Please stop being so selfish.
ASpiteri
Mar 15th 2010, 15:25
@Mark Satariano...actually A Grech is one of those few who clearly understand what Foreign Policy is all about.
Foreign Policy is not something that should only be adopted to safeguard the interest of a few businessmen to the detriment of the whole nation!
Unfortunately, our long and special relation with Libya only served this purpose and it is time that our politicians stop it once and for all.
Mark Satariano
Mar 15th 2010, 15:09
Thank God, that Mr. A. Grech has no authority or power to impliment his threats. I really don't know how certain people manage to conjure up such idiotic ideas. This way of thinking seems to be contagious, judging from some of the previous comments on the subject. I work in Libya, and presently I am unable to go back to Malta, because I am not sure if I will be let in. I advise Mr. A. Grech to put himself in the shoes of Maltese workers in Libya, before trying to impress readers with his hawkish and sensationally stupid remarks
Andrew Grech
Mar 15th 2010, 16:06
Dear Mark I wish you and all the rest a safe return. However from your angry comment it looks like you cannot see the forest through the trees...it is the country that YOU are stuck in that instigated these scare-mongering events. The whole of Europe could be at stake. It is because YOU are stuck that YOUR comments are sensational. It is the big boss who is keeping you prisoner and the rest of us too. HE is using YOU. Doesn't it make YOU feel worthless instead of being appreciated for the hard work that you are doing??? It is just like a case of unfair dismissal but at a very high macro level. A level that does not only effect one family in one company but thousands of families in various countries. Bullying is simply not acceptable. Isolate the bullier. I trust that the matter will be resolved amicably and Mark Satariano and other locals can continue to work in Libya and all Schengen countries will continue with their reciprocate respect for each other...however, IF Libya does not change tack, my fist comment still applies (with Mark and others coming home safely obviously!!)
Paul Barrett
Mar 15th 2010, 15:02
Switzerland needs to be given a shake up call and asked to provide, within 24 hours, specific and individual proof for every individual that they have placed on the banned list.
If there is no justifiable specific proven individual reason for the ban then Switzerland should be ordered to remove them from the EU wide list immediately - what exclusions they make for their own Country is up to them but they should not be allowed to abuse the system.
A Grech
Mar 15th 2010, 14:35
Libya is starting to get very threatening. The next thing we could here is that they are gearing up for war!!
I understand that we have local workers whose livelihood depends on work in Libya but at this stage I would reinstate the embargo and get all Schengen countries to expell all Libyan nationals and not allow others in. Cut all diplomatic ties and send Libyan ambassadors packing.
If Libya is self-sufficient, let it be then. Looks like they still have to learn what respect means!
The rest of us should remain united and seek alternative sources for the supply of energy, etc...It can get dangerous to have all your eggs in one basket.