Italian FM Praises Delivery of EU Migrant Boats to Libya

Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani described the agreement to deliver five boats to Libya, funded by the European Union, as the “right choice to address the migration problem,” according to the Italian Nova news agency.

In radio statements, Tajani said that “it is right to address the problem of migration according to a European strategy.” He pointed out that they need to “invest in Africa against climate change, terrorism, poverty, and disease.”

The FM stressed that Rome needs joint action at the European level to curb illegal immigration, both on the Balkan route and the Mediterranean route.

Notably, Tajani announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Government of National Unity (GNU) to donate five patrol boats funded by the EU to Libya.

In a tweet, Tajani added, “we are strengthening cooperation with Libya, and seeking to confront irregular migration flows.” This was on the sidelines of the visit of an Italian delegation headed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Tripoli.

Earlier, Meloni said that having chosen Libya as the destination for one of the first institutional visits is “proof of the priority that the country plays for Italy and Europe. Libya is a priority for Italy, for the stability of the Mediterranean, for Italian security, and for some of the great challenges that Europe is facing, such as that of the energy crisis.”

“Italy reaffirms its willingness to accompany the process of political stabilisation in Libya,” Meloni added.

She also reiterated “Italy’s full willingness to favour the legitimate path to celebrate elections, and to stabilise the Libyan political framework, which represents an indispensable objective to unleash the high potential contained in the bilateral partnership between the two countries.”

She appreciated Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s commitment to holding elections as soon as possible, hoping that the commitment can “quickly be translated into concrete programs and actions, with the mediation of the United Nations.”

“For Italy, without prejudice to full respect for Libyan sovereignty, a broad political-military compromise can help unblock the current stalemate,” she noted.