On Saturday, the Italian Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary, Nicola Molteni stated that Libya is not a safe country for the return of migrants, according to the Italian AKI news agency.
Molteni, a prominent member of the ‘Lega’ political party, explained during a TV interview, “Libya is not a safe country for migrants; however, it’s essential to have safe ports for repatriation.”
The issue of illegal migration was at the forefront of conversations between the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni and the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba during his visit to Rome.
Further expanding on the matter, the Italian official said, “When I think of a safe country beyond the European Union boundaries, and subsequently, a third safe country where fundamental human rights are observed, it’s clear that Libya is not on my mind.”
She added, “Libya is not a safe country, yet it’s possible to find secure ports where repatriation processes can be conducted, or where centers can be set up for processing asylum applications.”
During her meeting with Libya’s PM, Meloni said that “political stability in Libya is a priority for Italy’s national security.”
The PM added that Libya “remains a strategic economic partner for Italy.” She also stressed how important it is “to hold Libyan Presidential and Parliamentary elections as soon as possible,” and added that “Italy will continue to work to guarantee the success of the United Nations mediation.
Meanwhile, Dbaiba stressed the need to take actual steps to facilitate the granting of visas to Libyan citizens. He noted the importance of bilateral relations and supporting and developing them in all fields, in order to achieve the common interests of the two peoples.
They also discussed the follow-up of the work of the bilateral committees to lift the embargo on Libyan civil aviation, and the necessary steps to establish the Libyan-Italian Higher Committee. In addition to the convening of the Libyan-Italian Economic Forum, on the sidelines of the committee’s first meeting.
The meeting also touched on joint efforts to tackle illegal migration, and cooperation in the fields of energy and waste management.
This renewed focus on unity and stability in Libya signals a potential turning point in Italian-Libyan relations. The signing of recent agreements and continued high-level meetings underline Italy’s commitment to actively contribute to Libya’s political and economic recovery.
