Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan welcoming Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at Mitiga airport, yesterday. Photo: Ian PaceLibyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan welcoming Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at Mitiga airport, yesterday. Photo: Ian Pace

Oil exploration took the back-burner in talks between Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his Libyan counterpart with Malta pushing for the importation of fuel from its southern neighbour.

Addressing a joint press conference after a half-day visit to the Libyan capital yesterday, Dr Muscat said there was more willingness for cooperation on energy between the two countries.

He said Malta wanted “a common sense” agreement for collaboration on energy but acknowledged that both sides were still far from sealing a deal of sorts.

“I will not say we are close because it is my Government’s style to announce things only when they are done but it is good that the two oil ministers have started detailed discussions,” he added. Asked whether the two sides discussed the outstanding dispute on the demarcation line for oil exploration - Malta and Libya both claim the Medina Bank to the south east of the island – Dr Muscat said the first priority was the purchase of fuel.

“Oil exploration rights have long been discussed and they are on our mind but the focus for the time being is the purchase of oil and oil products,” he said.

This was Dr Muscat’s first visit to Libya since taking office in March.

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan accepted an invitation to visit Malta and said Libya was willing to cooperate.

He said the Libyan government wanted to remove all obstacles laid by the previous regime and asked for the Gaddafi family assets in Malta to be unfrozen for the benefit of the country.

Prime Minister pledges faster visa process

Dr Muscat said Malta would do all it could to unfreeze the assets held in Maltese banks as quickly as possible.

The two sides also discussed irregular immigration with Dr Muscat insisting that Libya, like Malta, could not be left alone to tackle this phenomenon. “A concerted effort is needed to help Libya and this is the message we will be taking to our friends in the EU.”

When answering a question by a Libyan journalist about the immigration flow in Libya’s south, Mr Zeidan played down the extent of the phenomenon in the problem-ridden area.

He said Libya could not “throw” the immigrants out of the country because of “humanitarian concerns”. He acknowledged that Malta had been damaged by the immigration phenomenon and wanted to cooperate on the matter. Dr Muscat opened the press conference by acknowledging the good relations between both countries. “We came to our friends and we found an open door. This is not just a courtesy visit but a working visit that has laid the groundwork for future agreements,”he said.

On the issue of visas for Libyans visiting Malta, Dr Muscat pledged to introduce a faster process within the limitations of EU regulations. “I want to see more Libyan families and businessmen visiting Malta.”

Dr Muscat was accompanied by Foreign Minister George Vella, National Security Minister Manuel Mallia, Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella.

On arrival at Mitiga airport, a former military base, Dr Muscat was also greeted by Col Ali Faraj Alrabti, one of the Libyan pilots who had defected to Malta during the Libya conflict.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com

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