The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, is in Tripoli on a diplomatic mission. Following this morning’s meetings with the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Fayez Al Serraj, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmed Maitig, Minister Alfano held talks with the Chairman of the Libyan High Council of State, Abdulrahmann Swehli. He also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siyala.
During his meeting with Chairman Swehli, who was accompanied by a large delegation of the members of the Libyan Council, Minister Alfano carried out a detailed analysis of the political situation both in Tripoli and in the East and in the South of the Country. Minister Alfano also pointed out that Italy is committed to support the action of the UN Secretary General Special Representative Salamè, with a view to promoting a political dialogue between the different Libyan stakeholders, leveraging on the United Nations action.
Together with his colleague Siyala, whom he recently met with in New York to discuss the stabilisation process in Libya, Alfano reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries, with special reference to security and the development of infrastructure.
Siyala voiced his appreciation for the work conducted by the Italian Embassy, which Alfano announced will be further strengthened eight months after its opening. The two ministers also agreed to work on resuming the Rome-Tripoli flight in order to continue enhancing the relations between the two Countries.
Finally, they discussed the question of migration. Minister Alfano confirmed that Italy believes “it is important that specialised UN agencies, such as UNHCR and IOM, return to Libya and the Libyan and Italian NGOs cooperate in supporting the UN action, above all with respect to the management of refugee camps.
“During the meeting, Minister Alfano also said he hoped Minister Siyala will be able to attend the 2017 OSCE Mediterranean Conference, to be held in Palermo on 24 and 25 October. Italy is currently holding the OSCE Chairmanship.
