Libya drops ban on visas for Europeans - Borg highlights Malta's role
Tripoli said this evening that it had dropped its ban on granting visas to Europeans living in the Schengen zone, after the EU presidency announced a reciprocal move for Libyan travellers.
The announcement brings to an end a dispute lasting almost a month and a half which had affected hundreds of Maltese workers and businessmen (and travellers from all over Europe) who were not allowed access to Libya.
The Libyan ban had been imposed as retaliation to a Schengen area blacklist drawn up by Switzerland against Libyan officials.
But Spain's Foreign Ministry said earlier today in a statement that it regretted that the Libyans had been blacklisted for travel to the Schengen passport-free zone and said the blacklist had now been scrapped.
"All the names of the Libyan citizens included in the list of the Schengen information system have been removed," the ministry said in a statement.
Spain currently holds the presidency of the EU.
Foreign Minister Tonio Borg in comments to timesofmalta.com expressed his satisfaction that the issue had been resolved.
He said that Malta had twice raised the issue at the meetings of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers on February 22 and March 22 and it had been in regular contact with Libyan European Affairs Minister Abdallah Obeidi, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel AngelMoratinos.
"We never interfered in the domestic issues which led to this disute, but we insisted that other countries shuold not be held hostage, we defended our own national interest," Dr Borg said.
Malta had warned that unless the blacklist was removed and the issue was resolved by April 5, it would bypass Schengen and start issuing limited territory visas to Libyan nationals valid for countries which joined it in such an arrangement.Italy and Spain had backed the Maltese position.
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A. Bonnici
Mar 28th 2010, 15:50
after a month and a half persuading our European colleagues through meetings, Councils and visits abroad, the persistent, adamant and determined position adopted by the Goverment of Malta has prevailed...common sense has prevailed!!...thumbs up to Minister Tonio Borg and the Government
Joseph V. Grech
Mar 28th 2010, 13:29
Excellent news - well done to whoever helped to correct the unacceptable situation - Minister tonio Borg included.
A big Thank You goes to Libya's Muammar Gaddafi. Malta should seriously consider pulling out of Schengen if its regulations are not seriously amended. Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition please note.
This incident shows once more that the E.U. is unfortunately too disjointed politically and administratively to pursue common measures effectively - every country puts national interests before all else.
Hopefully Manuel Baroso and the other E.U. top administrators will note that the shameful and irresponsible PIQUE that exists amongst the different E.U. political forces is preventing the E.U. from functioning effectively. It is shameful that, like all politicians, the E.U. different groups are just concerned with scoring political points against their ''adversaries'' rather than on working together for the good of the continent. How ridiculous and dangerous this is! And, remember, these oafs are being paid huge salaries for the mess they are producing! The E.U. is hamstrung because there is no Political Union and that's for sure!
How come, Greece's financial problems were NOT IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED MUCH EARLIER? Was it a case of inefficient Auditing? Probably so!
G. Mangion
Mar 28th 2010, 11:45
A BIG WELLDONE TO MINISTER TOBIO BORG & THE P.N GOVERMENT.
James Brincat
Mar 28th 2010, 08:08
And finally 12 points go from sunny Malta to our real good neighbors and friends in LIBYAAAAAAAAAAAA. This Visa dispute ended with a diplomatic defeat for the Swiss government. Prosit minister Borg.
Borg Vince
Mar 27th 2010, 23:53
Good news at last!
John Micallef
Mar 27th 2010, 22:39
Thanks god finally we can get back to work!!
Hope after this nightmare Malta takes the necessary action accordingly, not to end up in such a situation again.
Thanks to all those who contributed to bring this matter to an end.
I Schembri
Mar 27th 2010, 21:33
WELL DONE SPAIN. NOW I WILL PLAN MY RELOCATION TO TRIPOLI FOR MY FAMILY. IT WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION.....BUT IT IS FINALLY OVER. MY NEIGHBOR IS SPANISH AND I WILL GET THEM A NICE GIFT FROM MALTA.
ALSO MY NEXT HOLIDAY DESTINATION WILL DEFINATLY BE SPAIN. GOOD BYE SWISS MOUNTAINS, YOU ARE NO LONGERVON MY HOLIDAY LIST :-(
Joanne
Mar 27th 2010, 21:21
Thank God, I am so happy that this problem finally is resolved. Finally Maltese stuck in Libya can come back to see their families and those who are in Malta can restart their work back in Libya. Well done to the foreign Ministers of Malta, Italy and Spain and thankyou very much.
Martin Cassar
Mar 27th 2010, 21:07
This is very good news indeed and reflect the very good and special relation between Malta and Libya which is envy for many, or I dare say too many big countries. One hopes the Swiss government has learned couples of diplomatic lessons from our little Isle.