EU-Libya negotiations in Tripoli
By agencies
TRIPOLI, Libya- A preliminary session of the EU-Libya framework agreement negotiations was held in Tripoli this week, paving the way for the official launching of negotiations later this year.
Abdulati Ibrahim El Obeidi, Secretary for European Affairs at the Libyan Foreign Ministry, led the hosting delegation, while the Ambassador of France, François Gouyette and deputy director general Hugues Mingarelli represented the EU Presidency and the European Commission respectively.
The framework agreement negotiations will cover a wide range of political, economic and consular issues that were agreed upon in the memorandum of understanding signed by Libya and the European Commission on 23 July, 2007. Issues to be discussed during the negotiations include energy, illegal migration, fisheries, visa facilitation, trade, education, agriculture and cultural heritage.
Malta attended the preliminary session of the EU-Libya framework agreement negotiations as observer and was represented by Ambassador Joseph Cassar and First Counsellor Joseph Pirotta.•