Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani called for “close coordination with Algeria to facilitate the national reconciliation in Libya, and support the stability of the Sahel region.”
The Italian Foreign Ministry said Tajani held a telephone call on Wednesday, with his new Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, regarding the main regional files.
He stressed the importance of Italian-Algerian cooperation for the stability and security of the Mediterranean region. Tajani called on Attaf to “work in close coordination to support Tunisia, facilitate national reconciliation in Libya, and support the stability of the Sahel region.”
Tajani also emphasized the importance of Italy’s cooperation with Algeria at the political, economic, and security levels. He expressed his hope to “deepen the already excellent bilateral relations with Algeria.”
On Friday, Tajani said that “Italy is working to make Libya a stable country. We are talking with everyone. We went to Tripoli with the Prime Minister (Giorgia Meloni), and we provided patrol boats to the Libyan Coast Guard.”
In January, Meloni visited the Libyan capital, Tripoli, where she held talks with her Government of National Unity (GNU) counterpart, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba.
Meloni described the visit as “positive,” noting the signing of important agreements on cooperation, energy, and combating illegal immigration.
Earlier this month, Tajani announced that two boats will be donated to the Libyan Coast Guard, to combat irregular migration.
“We are increasing assistance to the Libyan Coast Guard. After we handed it a patrol boat recently, we will deliver two more boats (to the Libyans) in the next few days,” the Italian top diplomat said in an interview on Thursday.
Tajani pointed out that the boats will help the Libyan Coast Guard to “prevent the departure of migrant boats.”
He noted the presence of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in the Mediterranean waters. But he added, “There is certainly a need for more European presence, and for a strong intervention to prevent departures, especially from Tunisia and Libya.”
