The Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abubakr Al-Tawil, received a high-level French delegation at the ministry’s headquarters. The visiting group was led by Alexis André, Deputy Director for North Africa and the Middle East at the French Foreign Ministry, accompanied by the French Ambassador to Libya, Thierry Valat, and the Ministry’s French desk officer, Manal Hareeb.
The French delegation opened the meeting by praising the recent landmark reopening of the Libyan National Museum—an event attended by the director of the Louvre—applauding Libya’s rich cultural heritage and congratulating the Government of National Unity on the achievement.
During the talks, Libyan officials raised two critical strategic issues: the necessity of lifting the European ban on Libyan civil aviation and the easing of visa application procedures for Libyan citizens traveling to France from Tripoli. In response, the French delegation expressed an understanding of these priorities and pledged to review both matters with the relevant authorities in Paris.
Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides explored ways to strengthen economic and cultural ties. The French representatives welcomed a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding between the French Diplomatic Academy and the Libyan Diplomatic Institute, aimed at fostering the exchange of expertise and professional development for diplomats from both nations.
