A long term solution for Libya would be feasible and durable only if it came from Libya and enjoyed the undivided support of all Libyans, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today.
In his address to ambassadors accredited to Malta during the exchange of New Year greetings, Dr Muscat said his government's policy was to work, as a trusted broker, to achieve the objective of bringing together as many factions as possible, to bridge the divide.
“Total convergence and subsequent agreement could be difficult to achieve, but this should not deter us from keeping on trying,” he said.
Malta, Dr Muscat said, always felt an innate responsibility to hear out what its North African neighbours had to say as real partners, and without any imposition.
The Prime Minister also expressed solidarity with the thousands of Syrian families who had faced terror and displacement for years on end.
On preparations for Malta’s Presidency of the EU, he said he had no doubt that Malta would rise to the challenge.
“We will continue to punch above our weight and keep the pace that our Dutch and Slovak friends will be setting to further cement the European Union’s role as a prominent international actor.”
The European Union, he said, could be facing a major debate on reforms during Malta’s Presidency term.
“As we continue to follow the evolving scenario very closely, we remain fully supportive of the continued presence of the UK in the EU. I am encouraged by the fact that the British government has taken a clear position that membership of the EU is in the UK’s interest.”
Malta, he said, was willing to examine carefully the UK’s proposals and support them where feasible.
“A call for more flexibility is warranted by the very fact that there is no one-size fits all formula that can appease all members.
“This being said, once envisaged, flexibility should be there for all and not for one,” he said.
Turning to the Schengen regulations he said circumstances over the past months demonstrated that existing mechanism was not flawless and change was clearly warranted.
“This issue at hand is a very delicate one which goes way beyond the mere adjustment of procedures. The debate delves into one of the cardinal principles of the European Union commanding freedom of movement. We are running the risk of falling into one extreme or the other when what we should be after is a sense of balance.
“The solution does not lie in building barriers,” he said
Dr Muscat also spoke on the Mediterranean saying this would remain central to Malta’s foreign policy formulation.
“You will therefore continue to witness the maturation of a policy that looks at regions previously not traditionally associated with our diplomatic activity ranging from the Gulf countries to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America.
“In looking beyond virtual boundaries resulting from distance and size, Malta will remain faithful to its longstanding value of promoting dialogue in all its forms,” the Prime Minister said.