Hague thanks Malta for ‘invaluable support’ throughout Libya crisis

UPDATE 4 | British Foreign Secretary William Hague held official talks in Malta, his first since taking office and the first bilateral visit by a UK Foreign Secretary since Douglas Hurd.

16 October 2011, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

2 min read

William Hague met Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Castille and Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg at Palazzo Parisio. He thanked Malta for what he described as it's "staunch assistance", particularly for humanitarian purposes, with operations in Libya.

William Hague visited Malta's Air Traffic Services and paid tribute to staff involved in the coordinating the delicate and complicated air traffic in the Mediterranean during Libya operations. Hague will meanwhile host a meeting for the British Business Forum aimed at deepening economic ties.

Speaking on arrival William Hague said: "Malta and Britain are close allies, with a strong affinity based on history and shared values. We work closely together in the EU and on foreign policy issues including Iran and North Africa. I hope my visit will strengthen these ties.

"I have thanked Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg in person for the support Malta has provided for our efforts in Libya and their invaluable assistance in the evacuation of over 500 British nationals from Libya earlier this year. We have discussed recent developments in Libya and how best to continue support to the new Libyan authorities.

"We discussed a range of EU issues, including the importance of encouraging growth through the single market and our shared view that the EU budget must be rigorously controlled. We also talked about how the EU can tackle illegal migration effectively, as well as the EU response to the latest developments with Iran," William Hague said.

Hague’s visit follows news that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to meetGonzi at Castille on Monday. Clinton is expected to make a stop-over in Malta on her way to Tripoli for meetings with the National Transitional Council. During her stay, Clinton is also expected to formally inaugurate the brand new multi-million US embassy compound in Ta' Qali and announce the new US ambassador to Malta after Douglas Kmiec resigned his post last August.

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More from Karl Stagno-Navarra

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" We also talked about how the EU can tackle illegal migration effectively"! The EU knows very well how to. It has to turn Frontex into a robust coastguard to push back any boats back to Libya, which has now become a free and democratic country. The EU also has to embark on a systematic campaign to repatriate all illegal immigrants that are at present in the EU, including Malta. But it's not enough for the EU to know what to do. It has to get down to doing it, and soon.

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@pirandello That's right we think of our country's welfare unlike gonziPN and Co. who only are yes men to foreigners. Now go get a life.

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Hague you just signed your political death warrant, ask Gadaffi ........ ha ha

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Thank yous do not decrease our National debt or improve the country's finances. When a couple of hundreds of refugees are taken off our hands then we know that other countries really appreciate us, otherwise it is glab.

Luke Camilleri •

More thanks...but where's tha BACON? We have been having thanks from the U.K. and even a George Cross for years and again I sya today, WHERE IS THE BACON?

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Did Mr.Hague mention GREECE in his statement ??????

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For once just stop grumbling you bunch of grumblers and think of your country first.

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Yeah right! We are so close again to the Brits, that our PM wore the same tie as the British foreign secretary! Is this the same Mr.Hague, that some years back used to criticse the EU alot? Has he changed his mind? Probably he was a friend with Dr. Alfred Sant then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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what about illlegal immigrants.How many is UK going to take.Not even a mention.Only wounded libyans.

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@lovit Nicotine, alcohol and some prescription drugs also have health / addiction consequences? . One of the main problems with illegal drugs is dealers, pushers, unpredictable quality of supply and the rest of the underworld that contributes towards funding the barons and chasing the next fix. . At present, we all pay medical / rehab expenses for problems caused by alcohol, nicotine and drug addiction? .

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@loveit Do not be too sure. That's the way it's heading. Marijuana is virtually legalised in all but name in the civilised World(that does not include Malta) and the time is coming when the rest will be legalised and can be controlled. As it is now,it's an unbeatable fight. Legalise them,ruin the drug barons,control the amount of drugs, sort out the health issues ,make money through taxes and give help to the addicts. All that can only be done through legalisation and not driving it underground You may wish to rethink before spouting 'ex cathedra' again.

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B right on: Yes right and any money obtained in excise tax will go to fund the addicts' rehabilitation and medical expenses. This unthinkable solution may not actually work as you predict.

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Maltabiss: What happened after Bush and Gorbachov met in Malta was that the world was a slightly better place to live for a number of people. If you're not sure, ask the (East) Germans, the Poles and the rest. But i would not put that down to Bush and Gorbachov meeting EFA - certainly not. Then again, neither of the rest of your assertions make any sense or logic. By the way, Mahatma Ghandi and others were also murdered but they never met a PN PM. Tkunx bahnan.

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There is one solution to this financial mess if only governments would think the unthinkable. . Legalise Heroin, Marijuana and Cocaine - control it by selling it through state pharmacies and collect an excise tax as is the case with nicotine and alcohol. . In the US alcohol was a prohibited substance between 1920 and 1929. Prohibition did not make it in short supply and its legalisation generated enough revenue to see the USbout of the great depression.

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People, remember that whoever meets a PN PM meets his fate. ** Either he or she is killed like Indira Ghandi or else deposed like Ben Ali, Gaddafi and the rest who were hexed after they met a PN PM. ** Remember what happened to Bush and Gorbachev after they met EFA?

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Hope he won't be called to resign in a week's time like his colleague Liam Fox!

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Ah yes this is the guy who said Gaddaffi was on his way to Venezuela during the first week libya was attacked.