Italy is beside Libya in its
"complex" transition, Premier Mario Draghi told a joint press
conference with national unity government Prime Minister
Abdulhamid Dabaiba in Rome Monday.
"The collaboration between the government of Prime Minister
Dabaiba and Italy continues to be ever more fertile and alive,"
he said.
"Italy remains at Libya's side and supports it in this complex
transition," he said.
Draghi added: "I think it is a moral duty but also an interest
of Libya to ensure the full respect of the rights of refugees
and migrants."
He said "Italy intends to continue to finance voluntary assisted
repatriations and humanitarian evacuations from Libya...Italy
will continue to do its part in terms of resources and training
capacities, but determined and rapid EU action is needed. At the
European Council in June, at Italy's proposal, migration will
return to the centre of political attention".
Dabaiba, who stressed that migrants were a joint responsibility,
said "we have returned to excellent bilateral relations and we
would like to reactivate all the memoranda of understanding, all
the accords, and open horizons to increase commercial exchanges
with Italy".
Draghi also said: "we spoke about collaboration in the fight
against COVID. Italy will commit to the construction of
hospitals in Libya and sending health staff, as well as
receiving tens of children suffering from cancer. This is health
cooperation of broad dimensions".
Draghi said that a priority for Libya was the withdrawal of
mercenaries and holding elections; and said Italy would start
cooperating on renewable energy.
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