Both Malta and Libya were willing to reach a deal on the importation of fuel but this was still far from being reached, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this afternoon.
Addressing a joint news conference with his Libyan counterpart Ali Zeidan at the Corinthia Bab Africa in Tripoli, Dr Muscat said Malta wanted a common sense agreement for collaboration on energy and discussions had now started.
Dr Muscat was on his first visit in Libya since taking office in March.
He led a high-level delegation that included Foreign Minister George Vella, National Security Minister Manuel Mallia, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella.
The ministers held talks with their Libyan counterparts. All meetings were held at the Corinthia Bab Africa.
Although the oil exploration topic was raised during the meetings, it was not the main focus of discussions.
The two sides discussed illegal migration and Dr Muscat said that just as Malta could not be left alone to face the immigration phenomenon, Libya could also not be left on its own.
“This is the argument Malta will be putting forward in the EU… Libya needs help and a concerted effort is needed,” Dr Muscat said.
On the Libyan government he said: “this is a government that with facts wants to collaborate on the immigration issue".
Mr Zeidan acknowledged that Libya wanted to cooperate and said that Malta was harmed by illegal migration.
However, he played down the number of illegal immigrants that were crossing into Libyan soil.
On visas, Dr Muscat made it clear that Malta’s visa regime was governed by EU laws but said the government wanted to do all that was possible so that the processing of visa applications from Libyan citizens was carried out as fast as possible.
He said he wanted to see more Libyan families and businessmen visiting Malta.
Dr Muscat said that the Libyan Prime Minister had accepted an invitation to visit Malta.
“We came to our friend and we found an open door. This was not just a courtesy visit but a working visit that has laid the groundwork for future agreements. Malta will also do what it can to unfreeze the former Libyan regime’s assets in Malta,” Dr Muscat promised.
Mr Zeidan said that the meetings held today paved the way for stronger cooperation between the two countries.
“We hope to achieve a lot particularly to remove all obstacles put in by the previous regime. We want to find suitable mechanisms for today’s needs signalling a new relationship between two democratic states,” he said.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com