On Monday, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Taher Al-Baour, convened an extensive and official diplomatic session at the ministry’s headquarters in Tripoli with the accredited Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Libya, Franklin Aquilina. This meeting was attended by the Director of the European Affairs Department, Abu Bakr Ibrahim Al-Tawil, and the Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Southern Europe Division, Nadia Masoud Al-Rayani. The discussions aimed to review cooperation, with a particular emphasis on resuming technical and political dialogue regarding the delimitation of maritime borders between the two nations in the Mediterranean region.
Al-Baour Visits Malta to Advance Political Dialogue and Regional Coordination
During the deliberations, both parties praised the depth and significance of the historical and geographical bonds connecting Libya and Malta, asserting that their Mediterranean proximity necessitates constant coordination to serve the ultimate interests of both peoples. For his part, Al-Baour reiterated the Libyan Foreign Ministry’s strategy to strengthen communication with the Maltese side across various vital sectors, especially in economic and commercial fields, while facilitating direct linkage between official institutions and the private sector to boost trade. Conversely, the Maltese Ambassador conveyed Valletta’s appreciation for the ongoing cooperation with Libyan authorities, stressing his country’s firm desire to expand joint efforts to include high-priority developmental and investment sectors for both sides.
Al-Baour Reviews Libyan Embassy Operations in Malta
Regarding strategic issues, the file of maritime border delimitation sat at the forefront of the agenda. The participants emphasized the necessity of intensifying talks to reach final and equitable understandings based on international law and established principles of good neighborliness. Both sides noted that resolving the pending technical and legal matters in this regard would bolster regional stability in the central Mediterranean and open the door for fruitful cooperation in energy exploration, fisheries, and diverse maritime investments. They affirmed that maintaining open channels of dialogue is the sole guarantee for protecting the sovereign rights and economic interests of both states.
The meeting also expanded to cover prospects for cooperation within the framework of the partnership with the European Union, addressing files such as irregular migration, investment exchange development, and cooperation in the education and training sectors. Attendees underscored the leading role Malta can play, given its strategic geographical location and active membership in the EU, in supporting Libya’s stability and enhancing regional development pathways. The session concluded with an agreement to reactivate joint committees and intensify reciprocal visits between senior officials to follow up on the implementation of agreed-upon understandings. Al-Baour concluded by stressing that Libya attaches great importance to its relations with its European neighbors, considering constructive dialogue the ideal path to addressing all shared files and ensuring prosperity and stability in the region.