Ghaddafi arrives in Rome today for ‘historical visit’
Karl Stagno-Navarra
A tripartite meeting held in Rome yesterday afternoon between the foreign ministers of Italy, Malta and Libya ended without any statements from all sides, while diplomatic service journalists were left guessing what was discussed.
While senior foreign office officials told this newspaper that a statement will be issued today, Italian journalists commented that it was quite unusual that the Farnesina (Italy’s Foreign Office) does not give any statements, especially since the meeting also involved Libyan foreign minister Mussa Kusa.
The meeting – held in the prestigious ‘Villa Madama’ in central Rome – discussed illegal immigration in the Mediterranean.
During this meeting, that was attended by Minister Franco Frattini for Italy and deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, it was expected that the issue of joint Mediterranean patrols would be raised, however no spokesman from either ministry wanted to comment.
A one-line statement issued by the Italian news agency ANSA last night said that the Italian minister raised his proposal for “efficient cooperation” between the three sides in countering the phenomenon of illegal immigration.
While Italy and Libya have last month started joint patrols within Libyan territorial waters, the Armed Forces of Malta are now the only naval force at sea to patrol the European frontier under a Frontex operation denominated ‘Nautilus IV’.
Until a few months ago, the Maltese government was asking to participate in the Italy-Libya patrols, however it remains unknown if this request was forwarded once more.
Attempts to contact Foreign Minister Tonio Borg yesterday proved futile.
However, both Malta and Italy are reported to have discussed with the Libyan Minister the need to accelerate Tripoli’s recognition of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in a bid to safeguard their interests when repatriating migrants intercepted at sea after leaving the Libyan coast.
Meanwhile, Italy is preparing to welcome Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi who arrives in Rome today on what is being described as a “historical visit.”
67-year-old Ghaddafi – who is expected to reside in a Bedouin tent within the Italian Presidential palace – is to lead a 300-strong delegation and will meet with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The two are to sign and formally ratify a so called ‘Treaty of Friendship’ between the two countries.
In an unprecedented event, Col. Ghaddafi is to meet with students and make a speech at the famous ‘La Sapienza’ university in Rome.
Hundreds of police officers have been mobilised to guarantee security for the Libyan leader, who will also receive an ‘Honoris Causa’ degree from the University of Sassari, while on his request, Ghaddafi is expected to meet almost 700 women who are protagonists of Italy’s politics, business and culture.
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