Law & Order
Talks with Libya on illegal immigration "positive"
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 22, 2007 - 6:12:06 PM

Illegal immigration issues were discussed in a two-day meeting between Libya and Malta. The talks were described as "positive" and "cordial", according to Radio 101 news.

The two-day meeting was held on a joint initiative between the Maltese and Libyan governments to make necessary preparations for another meeting which will seek agreement on responsibilities in the search and rescue zone. An agreement on this issue was called for by a commission of Maltese and Libyan experts last February

The commission recommended that the two parties also seek agreement on the exchange of training and information in the two countries, as well as how requests for help should be dealt with.  

An agreement between the two countries could benefit the maritime community as well ass all those making use of Maltese and Libyan waters.  

Since the beginning of the year the Armed Forces of Malta saved 1,000 illegal immigrants travelling in waters surrounding the Maltese Islands and helped several others who made it to shore.

In separate news, a group of 28 illegal immigrants were brought to Malta on an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) patrol boat on Tuesday evening after being rescued at sea to the east of the island by a motor vessel called Norfolk Express, reported The Times of Malta.

The AFM was informed of the illegal immigrants’ drifting boat by the US Naval Command in Naples, soon after it was spotted by a US Navy aeroplane. At around 1100CEST the Norfolk Express nearby was asked rescue the illegal immigrants and take them on board before an AFM patrol boat was dispatched to the area to bring the group to Malta.

The group included seven women and a nine-month-old boy.

Read more about this issue in MaltaMedia’s Special Feature Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra.