Migration, energy and trade were all discussed between the Libyan government delegation, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her counterparts in Rome on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received the premier of Libya’s national unity government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Rome after previously meeting in January in Tripoli.
Among the most important topics were immigration, energy, and trade agreements, as is often the case when Meloni talks with African leaders, with whom she intends to establish a “non-predatory approach of collaboration”.
Meloni “expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the Libyan authorities in rescue operations at sea and the containment of irregular departures”, reads a government note released after the meeting.
Foreign Minister Najla el Mangoush and Interior Minister Imad Tabelsi joined the Libyan prime minister, who met with their counterparts Antonio Tajani (Forza Italia/EPP) and Matteo Piantedosi. Deputy PM and Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini (Lega/ID) and Minister of Made in Italy Adolfo Urso (Fratelli d’Italia/ECR) also attended the meeting.
Italy and Libya have signed a series of agreements providing for cooperation on the security front, the details of which are currently unknown but presumably include measures similar to those agreed with Tunisia, which Meloni visited on Tuesday to discuss the same issues.
For Meloni, it is a priority that there is greater control of the North African coast and that boats laden with migrants are prevented from leaving for Europe. In return, Italy promises support to Libyan institutions through training and new patrol equipment.
Meloni “shared with the Libyan premier her concerns given the summer season. In this perspective, for Meloni, it is fundamental to intensify efforts in countering human trafficking,” read the government’s note.
The CEO of Italian oil company Eni, Claudio Descalzi, was also present at the meeting with the Libyan delegation, as was the case during Meloni’s visit to Algeria and Libya. Last January, eight agreements were signed in Tripoli for the exploration of new fields and the construction of new offshore facilities by Eni.
After Wednesday’s meeting in Rome, Descalzi will sign an additional agreement with his counterpart at the National Oil Corporation (Noc) in Libya.
Italy’s strategy in Africa – the so-called Mattei Plan – envisages cooperation with African countries to supply energy to Europe.
Italy aspires to become an energy hub from which gas and oil can transit from North Africa to European countries that – like Italy – have interrupted or aspire to interrupt energy supplies from Russia.
(Federica Pascale | EURACTIV.it)
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