Malta and Libya have signed a memorandum of understanding on search and rescue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this evening.

"The memorandum of understanding is inspired by the desire of Malta and Libya to further promote the friendly relations between them and the necessity of improving the safety of life at sea in the Mediterranean basin conscious of the great importance of rendering assistance to persons in distress at and over the sea and also the establishment of adequate and effective arrangements for search and rescue services," the ministry said.T

he MoU provides that both countries coordinate, cooperate and support each other for search and rescue operations within their respective search and rescue regions (SRRs). Both sides also agreed to authorize their Rescue Coordination Centre to request assistance via the rescue centre of the other country and to provide all information on the distress situation in their respective Search and Rescue Region.

The Memorandum also provides for joint search and rescue training for inter-operability purposes, exchange of visits and training at the AFM SAR Training centre apart from periodic meetings of representatives of both sides to ensure continued, enhanced cooperation.

Foreign Minister Tonio Borg last week discussed illegal immigration in Rome and said that shuld Libya and Italy start joint patrols in Libyan waters, Malta was prepared to offer the participation of AFM personnel. To date all anti-immigration patrols have been held in international waters.

Dr Borg also said that talks were expected to be held in the coming days between Libyan ministers, Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and himself.