Somali Prime Minister wants closer cooperation with Malta on visas

The Prime Minister of Somalia Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke has urged closer cooperation with the Maltese government on the issuances of visas to Somali nationals.

In a bilateral meeting held this morning with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Sharmarke said people from his country had to go to New York to obtain a visa to Malta.

Commenting on the long coasts of his country and Malta’s sea resource, Sharmarke said the two countries could cooperate closely on maritime and fisheries issues.

“Somalia is rich in terms of resources but conflict is pushing the young generations to leave the country. Those who have left will come back if we have political and economic security,” he told Muscat.

He said, that the situation was getting better and thanked Malta for the invitation to the Valletta Summit. Sharmarke added that his ambassador was readily available to help Malta with identifying asylum seekers claiming to be Somali.

On his part, the Maltese Prime Minister expressed concern over the situation in the region and pressed for the need of stability in the area. He referred to the Maltese soldiers in missions off the coast of Somalia fighting piracy as part of the EU mission.