Italian premier says ties with Libya a ‘priority’ for Italy and Europe

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) – Relations with Libya are a top priority for Italy and the EU, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday on her fourth visit to Tripoli since taking office two years ago.

Speaking at the Italy-Libya Business Forum, Meloni said her government’s goal was to relaunch collaborations with Tripoli that have been at a standstill for a long time, while exploring together new forms of cooperation.

“Libya represents a major economic partner for Italy, our excellent trade relations are a proof of this,” she said. “We are convinced that the deep cooperation that binds us has not yet expressed its full potential.”

Meloni also stressed that Italy represents for Libya “the privileged gateway to one of the largest energy markets in the world, the European one, made up of 500 million consumers.”

That offers Libya the opportunity to become a hub for energy flows between Italy, Africa, and Europe, she added.

Meloni also stressed the "broad cooperation" with Tripoli on the migration issue, aimed at fighting illegal migration while trying to boost “legal flows.”

The Italian leader also announced that airline ITA Airways will restore flights between Italy and Libya as of next year.

On the sidelines of the business forum, Meloni met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba.