The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, last night had a cordial telephone conversation with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian.
“Minister Le Drian informed me on the outcome of his mission to Libya, saying he was moderately optimistic over the positive evolution of the political reform process in the North African Country ahead of the 17th of December, the deadline set by the Skhirat Agreement,” said Minister Alfano.
“We confirm the close cooperation between France and Italy on the Libya dossier,” he added and went on to thank the French minister for the information received and in turn undertook to report back to Le Drian on the outcome of the meeting to be held in London on 14 September, which the French minister will not attend.
Talking about future engagements, the Foreign Minister affirmed: “We are satisfied with Salamé’s first actions in Libya and we confide that the meeting in New York on 20 September might represent an important turning point in consolidating the United Nations’ renewed commitment in the Country. We look with great interest to the Roadmap that Salamé will present in New York. The United Nations and the SRSG Salamé can count on our staunch support.”
“We must continue to steer our Libyan interlocutors towards a national reconciliation process. Extraordinary results have been achieved in Libya in the fight against Daesh, which must represent a strategic priority for everybody in Europe, as shown by the recent attacks performed there. In order to consolidate these results, Libya needs unified security forces that report to the Presidential Council and under the control of civil authorities,” concluded Minister Alfano.
