Meeting of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, met today with the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, at the Farnesina. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister stressed the importance that Italy attaches to Libya’s sovereignty, stability and prosperity, which is one of the Italian government’s foreign policy priorities. Deputy Prime Minister Tajani also expressed concern over the increase in irregular migrants arriving in Italy from the Libyan coast and the presence of foreign mercenaries, the result of political and institutional instability in Libya. Reiterating his full support for UN mediation, Tajani told the Special Representative about Italy’s willingness to contribute to overcoming the stalemate in Libya, referring in particular to the “Pact for the Sovereignty of Libya”. This Italian proposal is intended to create a united front of key international actors in support of the Special Representative’s action. Indeed, Italy hopes for a concerted effort to ensure Libya’s sovereignty, unity and integrity in order to rapidly reach a shared and inclusive solution for the organisation of elections. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister and the Special Representative agreed to continue to cooperate closely on the Libyan issue, expressing appreciation for the depth of the ongoing talks at all levels between the Italian authorities and the United Nations.