Libya promises to seek solution

Libya's recent controversial decision to declare a Fishing Conservation Zone was among the topics discussed between Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and his Libyan counterparts in Tripoli over the weekend.

Details of the meeting's outcome were sketchy. In a statement, the Foreign Minister said the Libyans were receptive to his concerns and both sides expressed their willingness to search for a solution that would benefit both parties.

The Libyan government recently declared that any fishing is forbidden in a 62-mile zone off its coast. The Maltese government says it is trying to establish the co-ordinates of the zone and the EU is prepared to intervene as a mediator in the matter.

Dr Frendo explained to Libyan Prime Minister Shoukri Ghanem that Maltese fishermen have historically fished in the area for different fish species using various fishing methods.

Dr Ghanem stated that in the spirit of the excellent relations between Libya and Malta, the Libyan government will continue to cooperate with the Maltese authorities to search for a solution beneficial to both countries.

Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulrahman Shalgam also expressed the Libyan government's intent to cooperate with the Maltese authorities in this issue.

On another matter, the two countries have agreed to set up a joint committee on cooperation in higher education in an effort to set-up joint programmes between the University of Malta Link Campus based in Malta and Rome and the Libyan Ministry for Higher Education and Academy of Graduate Studies in Tripoli. Libya has also requested academic support from Malta for the teaching of English in Tripoli.

The Maltese delegation also met the Director of the Academy for Post Graduate Studies, Saleh Ibrahim, during a visit to the academy in Tripoli.

The academy has over 7,000 post-graduate students hailing from all parts of Libya. The University of Malta and the Academy of Graduate Studies are expected to organise a joint seminar in the coming weeks in preparation for a joint Master's degree programme planned to start during the next academic year.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister Shalgam on Sunday, the two ministers discussed other issues relevant to the Mediterranean region, in particular the 5+5 meeting of the Western Mediterranean dialogue to be held in Malta at the end of this month.

Minister Frendo invited Prime Minister Ghanem and Foreign Minister Shalgam to address the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in Malta in November preceding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Libya and Malta have agreed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries with activities in both countries.

Throughout the visit, Dr Frendo was accompanied by Malta's Ambassador in Libya, Joe Cassar, Libya's Ambassador to Malta Saad El-Shelmani, the Director of the International Office of the University of Malta, Joe Mifsud, the Director General of the Fisheries Department Anthony Gruppetta, and by Foreign Ministry Communications Coordinator Chris Scicluna.