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Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has arrived in Malta for talks with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

The talks are expected to focus on energy issues. The two prime ministers discussed oil procurement by Malta at fixed prices when Dr Muscat visited Tripoli in June.

At the time, 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.