Update 3 | ‘We cannot afford to have Libya turn into a failed state’ - Muscat

Libya, migration, and oil exploration were amongst the topics of discussion between Malta's and Italy's heads of government Joseph Muscat and Enrico Letta.

Muscat was categorical about the importance of security in Libya, where militias have been engaged in conflict with the government's security forces. "We cannot afford having Libya turned into a failed state. We will be discussing this situation in a very concrete manner, in the next few days."

The two sides announced that they had reached an agreement on the way forward towards oil exploration, with two delegations holding a third and final visit in the coming weeks to outline a formal agreement on joint exploration.

With Italy taking over the EU's presidency in the second half of 2014, Malta is expected to support a push towards an agenda that will focus on bringing out Europe from its austerity policies and move towards growth and job creation. "We have a common vision in addressing youth unemployment," Muscat said.

"We are essential partners when it comes to immigration," Mucsat said. "Next month we expect at the Council's home affairs meeting to see short-term, concrete measures on immigration."

On his part, Letta praised the intense commitment of both military forces in having prevented yet another tragedy, the likes witnessed in two shipwrecks in October off the island of Lampedusa. "It's only thanks to their commitment and efficiency that we have not seen more 'Lampedusas' taking place outside our waters."

"We need European support, and we will go to the Council in December with a common position that will allow us to get the best possible results, both in terms of the execution of decisions already taken, and for a triangulation of EU decisions together with third countries like Italy," Letta said.

On the forthcoming Italian presidency, Letta stressed the need to exit from austerity. "We have to launch a real programme of growth. Our presidency will be centred on growth," Letta said, adding that he counted on Malta's support.

Muscat and Letta were unequivocal about the need to send a strong message to the EU. "We need to send a strong message that we are dealing with human beings here. This also means tackling criminal networks of human smugglers, who are benefiting from EU rules on migration to facilitate the illegal crossing of asylum seekers," Muscat said.

Letta said the EU had to change approach to stop migrant disasters like those that claimed around 400 lives near the Sicilian island of Lampedusa last month. "The Mediterranean can no longer be a sea of death, it must be a sea of life and trade," Letta said. "We cannot limit ourselves to words. A new EU policy for Africa and the Middle East is needed".

Muscat also said that the EU would have to show its willigness in assisting countries like Malta and Italy with the removal of asylum seekers whose claim for protection had been refused.

Letta said that the fundamental message Italy and Malta were conveying was that the situation in the Mediterranean "is the child of the Arab Spring and failed revolutions."

Underlining the importance of the EU summits in December and June, Letta said: "A number of countries are destabilised and this is leading to instability in the region. Two years ago we hoped that things would actually be different and now with winter on its way many believe that crossings will stop. However, it's not the weather that conditions the crossings but what's going on in North African countries. The Mediterranean cannot be a sea of death and we cannot limit ourselves to words."

Insisting that European countries must shoulder their fair share of responsibility, Letta added that the EU needs a new policy for the Middle East and Africa since the current policies have "failed."

Expressing his agreement, Muscat said that the two countries will not stand still but will work hard to send a strong message that "we will save lives but we will also send a message against human trafficking."

He added that asylum seekers choose to flee by sea because they don't have other options. "Failed asylum seekers must be sent back. There already are agreements in place through international aid programmes in which the EU pays for repatriation," Muscat said.

Insisting that Malta was "abandoned" by Europe, he added that when "we said we won't exclude a pushback, it was done to show that we will not accept a status quo. There is nothing normal with 200 people crossing every day to Europe. A normal circumstance is catching a flight. We want to tell Europe don't take us for granted and we are doing more than we actually can."

Both prime ministers emphasised the need to involve Libya and the Muscat said that Malta is in agreement with Libya on maritime operations and preparations were underway to make an AFM vessel available for coastal control.

Turning on the delicate situation in Libya, Letta sass that the current security vacuum in the North African country could only be resolved through dialogue involving all stakeholders.

On his part, echoing Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan's recent comments, Muscat said "Libya's leaders realise security shouldn't be in militia's hands. If militias don't give up weapons, international forces might intervene. This is the first time I heard such a strong comment from a Libyan leader."

Earlier in the day, Letta met Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil at the start of a day for a brief discussion, at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, in Floriana. He was accompanied by Nationalist MP George Pullicino (pictured).

Photo: Chris Mangion/Mediatoday

Speaking in Italian, Muscat the meeting was an opportunity to discuss not only migration but hold bilateral talks on other matters. He expressed hope that with Italy taking over the EU presidency during the second half of next year, "the Mediterranean can once again become central to European policy".

"We trust that the Italian presidency will serve as an opportunity for the Mediterranean to regain its importance and not feel abandoned by Europe," Muscat said.

On his part, Letta said it was fundamental for Mediterranean countries to remain united. He also said that so far, Europe had focused on fiscal consolidation and it was not time to turn towards economic growth.

The Maltese delegation includes deputy prime minister Louis Grech, Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallta, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, ambassador to Italy Vanessa Frazier, chief of staff Keith Schembri and foreign affairs permanent secretary Joe Cole.

The two prime ministers visited the Armed Forces of Malta's Maritime Squadron, where Letta met AFM personnel and the crew involved in the rescue mission off Lampedusa on October 11. They also went on board the Italian destroyer Luigi Durand de la Penne.

Letta is accompanied by defence minister Mario Mauro.