A high-level Italian aviation delegation has arrived in Benghazi to strengthen cooperation with Libya’s Reconstruction and Development Fund and expand partnerships in the country’s aviation sector.
ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma led the delegation, which included representatives from several Italian companies in the aviation industry. The visit featured a meeting with Libya’s Reconstruction and Development Fund and the Libyan airline Medsky.
During the talks, Benghazi Airport Authority and Italy’s ENAC signed an implementation protocol to boost aviation development. In addition, five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between Italian aviation companies, the Reconstruction and Development Fund, and Medsky.
The agreements aim to support Libya’s post-conflict recovery by modernizing airport infrastructure, enhancing air transport services, and facilitating knowledge exchange between the Libyan and Italian aviation sectors.
Observers note that Italy’s active engagement in Libya’s aviation industry highlights Rome’s wider interest in supporting stability and reconstruction efforts in the country, while opening new opportunities for economic and technical cooperation.
The Benghazi meetings are expected to lay the groundwork for future projects that could contribute to both Libya’s reconstruction plans and the expansion of Italian investments in North Africa’s aviation market.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
