The Libyan school in Ta’ Giorni will be transformed into a “training centre of excellence”.

A communiqué on education and training, signed yesterday between Malta and Libya, marked another step forward in the relations between the two countries and endorsed the deep friendship in practical terms, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

“The excellent diplomatic relationship was translated into concrete initiatives,” he added in the presence of Libyan Labour Minister Mohammed Al Fitouri Swalem.

Under the agreement, the Libyan government will handle the financing and Malta will offer technical expertise in teaching and staff.

“It will become a regional institute of education, confirming us as a regional hub of excellence,” Dr Gonzi said of the planned centre.

The initiatives covered by the communiqué include collaboration between the Malta College of Arts, Sciences and Technology and the Libyan Polytechnic School for both students and trainers.

It was expected that more than 900 Libyan students would come to study at Mcast, Dr Gonzi said, adding that there were also plans to have an Mcast campus in Misurata, Libya.

Mr Swalem said that the agreement enhanced the relationship between the two countries, a rapport that had a long history.

“Libya has changed and now we need to concentrate on human rights and democracy,” he said.

Mr Swalem admitted that the Ta’ Giorni facility had not been exploited as much as it should have been but now it would be given more focus.

Malta, which had a lot of experience and expertise in many sectors, was one of the countries that stood up against Muammar Gaddafi and “we will never forget what they did for us in those days”, he said.