Malta-Libya to meet over continental shelf dispute, as Gonzi meets Ghaddafi in Tripoli

The issue was discussed in Tripoli last night between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi.

In March 2008, Libya issued a formal letter, warning Heritage Oil Company Ltd – which had been contracted by Malta three months earlier  to undertake oil exploration in the region – to desist from any activity in an area that the Great Libyan Arab Socialist Jamahiriya considered part of its territory.

Malta also claims part of the same continental shelf as its own – in particular, an 8,000 sq metre stretch designated as ‘Area 7’ – but the Foreign Ministry stopped short of formally protesting when the Libyan government issued a concession to Sirte Oil Company Ltd to carry out oil exploration in the area.

A concession map published by Libya’s National Oil Corporation in 2007 clearly indicates that the area ceded to Sirte Oil Co. under this agreement covers the same territory for which Malta had granted a concession to Heritage Oil.

But while Heritage Oil has yet to start its operations on account of threats of legal action by Libya, Sirte’s operations are already under way.

Speaking to the media on his return from Tripoli this morning, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that Gaddafi is planning to attend the  5+5 summit that is expected to be held in Malta next June.

According to Gonzi, the meeting with the Libyan leader focused on the developing situation in North Africa following the ouster of Tunisian President Ben Ali and the uprising in Egypt.

“We discussed how the the 5+5 process may contribute towards stability in region with full respect for the people in the countries affected,” Gonzi said.

Before June’s 5+5 meeting, a preparatory meeting for Foreign Affairs ministers is expected to be held in April.

During his visit, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, was accompanied by Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, and had meetings with  Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmudi.

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