Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Franco Frattini, confirmed the European Commission's intention to offer help to Libya in its ongoing struggle in combating illegal immigration. Mr. Frattini was replying to a question set forward by Jason Azzopardi, Chairman of the European and Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr Frattini announced that during the EU-Africa Interministerial Conference to be held in Tripoli later this week, the Commission will be offering Libya the help of willing European Member States in patrolling its vast desert frontiers. On the other hand, Libya will be asked to cooperate with European Member States in patrolling its Southern borders.
Mr Frattini also emphasized the importance of the fact that for the first time there are strong indications that Libya is giving an impression that it is ready to cooperate with EU Member States in tackling the serious issue of illegal immigration and the criminality associated with it.
Mr Frattini was addressing the 36th Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union at Helsinki Finland.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
See also:
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By MaltaMedia News
Nov 19, 2006, 19:20 CET
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Ta' MaltaMedia News
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