Malta, Libya agree to facilitate trade, fight human trafficking

ROME

Malta and Libya on Friday agreed to fight human trafficking, facilitate trade and resume flights between the two countries.

Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela and his Libyan counterpart Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh discussed issues pertaining to irregular migration, health and economy in a meeting in the Maltese capital Valetta.

In a news conference following the meeting, the two leaders said that they have agreed on reciprocally facilitating trade and business opportunities in their countries.

Abela said Malta is ready to help ensure stability and peace in Libya.

Recalling that the two countries have cooperated in the fields of health and energy for years, he said the cooperation continues on border checks, and against migration and organized crimes.

Abela noted that Malta has opened its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli and started to process visa applications.

For his part, Dbeibeh said the two countries plan to cooperate on regional and national security aiming at protecting the interests of both countries.


Noting that the meeting involved discussions on joint bilateral investments, he said joint committees will be established to facilitate possible foreign investments and to start flights from Libyan airport.

Dbeibeh added that transportation ministers of the two countries signed an agreement to resume flights for civilians between the two countries, which had been on halt since 2014 due to the civil war in Libya.

The two leaders also stated the justice, defense and interior ministers of their countries have agreed to work together to resolve problems affecting the two countries, such as smuggling.

* Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara