By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday arrived Tripoli where she is participating in the Italy-Libya Business Forum, her fourth visit to the country since becoming since she came into office two years ago.
Addressing delegates, she said enhanced relations with Libya are a priority for both Italy and the European Union.
She said her country was convinced that cooperation with Tripoli has not yet reached its full potential.
Meloni further noted that collaboration between the two countries will assist to combat illegal migration flows and human traffickers, which she considers “important”.
She highlighted the need to promote growth and development in Africa to curb illicit migration.
Italy’s goal, she said, was to relaunch long-standing collaborations between the two countries and to expand on those that have continued.
“Libya represents a major economic partner for Italy, our excellent trade relations are proof of this,” she said.
“The trade data speak for themselves. In the three-year period 2020-2023, bilateral trade flows more than tripled, going from 2,6 to 9,1 billion euros. And in the first half of 2024, trade increased further.”
Meloni also announced the January resumption of direct flights between Tripoli and Rome by the Italian airline ITA.
Libya’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Adel Jumaa, said the trade volume between the two countries constituted a solid basis on which to build, adding that new key agreements were expected to be signed with Italy during the forum.
Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, thanked the Italian government for its interest in increasing cooperation with Libya in all sectors.
