Italy: Meloni says ties with Libya are a ‘priority’ for Italy and Europe

Rome: Relations with Libya are a top priority for Italy and the EU, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said today during her fourth visit to Tripoli since taking office two years ago.

Speaking at the Italy-Libya Business Forum, Meloni said that her government’s goal is to relaunch collaboration with Tripoli that has been at a standstill for a long time, while exploring new forms of cooperation. On the sidelines of the business forum, Meloni met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

“Libya represents a major economic partner for Italy, our excellent trade relations are a proof of this,” she pointed out. “We are convinced that the deep cooperation that binds us has not yet expressed its full potential.”

Meloni also stressed that Italy represents for Libya “the privileged gateway to one of the largest energy markets in the world, the European one, made up of 500 million consumers.” This offers Libya the opportunity to become a hub for energy flows between Italy, Africa and Europe, she added.

The Italian prime minister also stressed the “broad cooperation” with Tripoli on the migration issue, aimed at fighting illegal migration while trying to boost “legal flows.” In closing, she noted that ITA Airways will restore flights between Italy and Libya as of next year.