Malta and Italy have agreed to give a new impetus to talks on pending issues relating to the continental shelf between the two countries, the government said yesterday.

Talks at the Italian Foreign Ministry led to an agreement for a two-track approach to be adopted, complementing technical talks between experts with political consultations on possibilities relating to joint oil exploration.

Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and the Italian Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Famiano Crucianell agreed that such talks should start early next year.

The two ministers also discussed illegal migration and Dr Frendo asked for Italy's support within the EU to establish burden sharing.

During his brief stay in Rome, Dr Frendo signed a cultural and educational cooperation agreement with Italy and a joint declaration on economic cooperation.

He had talks at the Ministry for External Trade with Mauro Agostini, Under Secretary of State for Trade.

The cultural and educational agreement updates the framework forming part of an agreement signed in 1967 and the development of collaboration between their respective institutions.

The agreement provides for the establishment of a joint commission to implement its execution and a multi-year executive programme. The commission will meet next month to retain the momentum of cooperation and discuss the executive programme.

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