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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Prime Minister Robert Abela declared that an effective strategy for immigration should involve countries of origin and transit, together with clear targets which are set up hand in hand with these countries.
Robert Abela was addressing the Trans Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli, during his second day in Libya. “We cannot have an effective strategy for migration without the involvement of the countries of origin as well as the transitional countries, because clear and rational goals need to be set hand in hand with these countries,” Abela said.
The Forum, which was organised by the Libyan Government, was attended by various countries from both the European Union and Africa.
In his address, the Prime Minister maintained Maltàs principle, that of addressing the issue of immigration at the roots with strategic cooperation with everyone, preventing the departure of immigrants from Africa to Europe.
He mentioned two categories of immigrants, those fleeing their country due to conflicts and those for economic reasons, adding that both types require specific solutions with the involvement of origin, transit and destination countries.
Prime Minister Abela spoke about financial assistance to these countries, saying that these should create wealth and opportunities for their peoples through this investment, but added that it should be done wisely, and Europe should see that the investment is yielding results.
Abela also declared that more cooperation is needed from countries of origin in the repatriation of their citizens, who have been found to be illegally residing in the country of destination, and who do not deserve asylum.
Robert Abela stressed that Malta has been pushing for strategic cooperation between Europe and Africa, adding that Libya is already doing a lot to fight human traffickers, but added that this effort has to be made by everyone.

foto: DOI

(ITALPRESS).

TRIPOLI (LIBYA) (ITALPRESS) – “I think everyone sees that for this Italian government the Mediterranean is a priority. There cannot be the Mediterranean without Italy and Libya together. This is also the reason why we have improved our cooperation a lot in these two years”. This was declared by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in her speech at the Trans-Mediterranean Forum on Migration in Tripoli.
On migration “we need a 360-degree approach”, explained Meloni. The priority is “to fight human trafficking, one of the major crimes in the world according to the United Nations, these are traffickers who make money by using peoplès desperation without guaranteeing them respect for human rights: we cannot allow this.”
For Meloni “illegal migration is the enemy of legal migration. In Italy it has happened in recent years. We have not been able to legally let in many people because we have too many illegal migrants”.
“The problem of migration cannot be solved if we do not go to its origins” and it is important “to create a new cooperation between Europe and Africa”, she added. “I don’t think,” she stated, “that the charitable approach is the right one. The indiscriminate and violent approach is definitely the wrong one. The right way is equal strategic cooperation, and by bringing investments that solve problems for both”.
Then Meloni gave the example of energy resources, also speaking of the need to “concentrate efforts on a strategy that binds our destinies for the future. It is something, she added, that we want to grow together. Italy has decided to set a good example with the Mattei plan for Africa”.

– Photo screenshot video Palazzo Chigi –

(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced the extension of an agreement on migration with Libya, following bilateral meetings between Abela and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli. The agreement, initially signed in May 2020, has been extended for another three years.
Abela praised the existing agreement’s effectiveness, claiming it has “meant saving the lives of thousands of people including women and children and a sharp drop in arrivals of irregular immigrants.” He stressed the need for continued cooperation between European countries and countries of transit or origin to address illegal immigration. The agreement will include training and assistance in civil protection provided by Maltese authorities to Libyan counterparts.
However, the extension of this agreement comes amid longstanding concerns about the treatment of migrants in Libya. Malta has also faced repeated accusations of ignoring distress calls and participating in illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers to Libya, a country deemed unsafe for disembarkation by the United Nations.
During a press conference, Abela emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership between Malta and Libya, framing it within a broader context of EU-North African relations.
The timing of this agreement came just ahead of today’s Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli. This summit will bring together EU member states, the European Commission, and African countries to discuss migration issues.
Robert Abela will address the Forum on Migration in the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, the Maltese Prime Minister highlighted potential collaborations in sectors such as renewable energy and trade. He added Malta could serve as a “commercial bridge” between Europe and North Africa.Abela said Malta viewed Libya as a strategic partner with the European Union in the Mediterranean in important areas such as renewable energy.
“Malta emphasised the importance of the Mediterranean region… our country has the credibility to push for a strategic partnership between Europe and North Africa. Our country is also advocating for a European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, as evidenced by the MED9 meeting in Malta, where we stressed that the Mediterranean should be made a centre of clean energy that drives the commitment for a decarbonised Europe and Mediterranean”, Abela said.
The two counterparts also discussed the potential for further growth in commercial relations between the two countries, including an agreement on air connectivity. Malta was the first EU member state to resume flights between Malta and Libya. “Malta can continue to facilitate and serve as a logistics hub between Europe and North Africa”, Abela said, describing the two countries’ ports as “a commercial bridge between the two continents”.
-photo DOI-
(ITALPRESS).

PALERMO (ITALPRESS/MNA) – According to the Municipality of the Sicilian capital, 350 thousand people have poured into the street to celebrate the ‘Santuzza’ This confirms a record turnout for the 400th feast of Santa Rosalia in Palermo.
“It was a popular party,” commented the mayor of Palermo Roberto Lagalla, adding, “It was a party offered to the many tourists visiting Palermo, on the occasion of the fifteenth-century feast of Santa Rosalia in the city of Palermo. Yesterday evening showed that the emotion felt during this year’s feast is still strong, which, I am sure, will remain in the memory of the many who have been able to live it up so closely. The wish is that the message that we wanted to convey in this feast, which is hope and desire to be reborn, remains imprinted, but also an invitation to love and respect the city and to do it together.
Lagalla said the fifteenth century was organized in a spirit of collaboration and synergy. “For this, I must thank the Curia and Archbishop Lorefice for the path of sharing undertaken already last year given the fifteenth-century anniversary. I thank Deputy Mayor Cannella and his personnel, the Council, and the committees that contributed to the realization of the feast, from the Sicilian Region to the Sicilian Regional Assembly, and to all the cultural and trade associations. My thanks go to the organizers, starting with Marco Balich who believed in the story of Santa Rosalia and her miracle. A heartfelt thanks to the Administrative officials and to those who allowed the feast to be held safely and, therefore, to all the police, the Commissioner, the Municipal Police, the Civil Protection, and all the voluntary associations.”
The Mayor of Palermo mentioned the great curiosity around this feast, as confirmed by the surge in visits, amounting to 134% more than shown in recent weeks by the website dedicated to this year’s edition. “I thank the journalists, even those who came from other parts of Italy and abroad.”
Finally, Roberto Lagalla thanked the cleaning companies that have already been at work since last night, in particular the areas of Cala and Foro Italico. He also thanked the creative companies that allowed the realization of this feast and its story, the Balich Wonder Studio, the Odd Agency, and AlbaMedia including all the artists, workers, and volunteers who have enabled this incredible success”.
– photo Comune Palermo –
(ITALPRESS)

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta saw the steepest rise in population in the EU in a decade despite having the 27-country bloc’s lowest fertility rate. According to published Eurostat figures, between 2013 and 2023, Maltàs population increased by almost a third, and nearly all of that growth is due to migration. Maltàs population reached 563,000 by the end of 2023, after growing by nearly 21,000 in the space of a year.
Malta has the lowest fertility rate in the EU, with women, on average, giving birth once in their lifetime. While Maltàs birth rate is 1.08, France has a total fertility rate of 1.79 live births per woman. Between January 2013 and 2023, the EU’s population rose 7.5 million (or 1.7%); net inward migration was the driving factor behind this growth. The rate of population increase during this period was highest in Malta and Luxembourg, with their populations increasing overall by around a quarter (28.3% and 23%, respectively). Population numbers fell in 10 countries. The biggest decreases in percentage terms were in Bulgaria (down 11.5%) and Croatia (down 9.6%).
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Malta Tourism Office –

TUNISI (TUNISIA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – As the Presidential elections are approaching in Tunisia, the authorities are increasing their crackdown on potential candidates and critics of the Tunisian President Kais Saied.

The Presidential elections are scheduled to be held on 6 October, and they will be the first presidential elections since President Kais Saied’s self-coup in 2021. Amnesty International said that over the previous year, more than 20 political critics of Saied’s government had been arrested, detained, or convicted on charges related to their political activity.

Last Friday, Lotfi Mraihi, the Secretary General of Tunisia’s Republican People’s Union and a candidate for the country’s upcoming presidential elections is in prison, was arrested and is in prison for serious charges. Mraihi has been accused of money laundering and illegally moving money abroad. His arrest came after he announced his intention to run in the early October vote. When Mraihi ran for the 2019 election, he received around 6.5% of the vote.

The Tunisian authorities issued a warrant for the arrest of journalist and politician Safi Said, accused of forgery and fraud.

While potential candidates have been put in prison or live in exile, the Tunisian authorities are cracking down on critical voices in general. In May, Sonia Dahmani, a lawyer known for criticizing President Kais Saied, was arrested in a television studio as cameras were recording. In early July, she was sentenced to one year in prison for allegedly spreading false news.

Rached Ghannouchi, a fierce critic of Saied and leader of the relatively moderate Islamist opposition party Ennahda, has been behind bars since last year. He was convicted of incitement against the police and conspiracy against state security.

President Kais Saied suspended the parliament in 2021 and later dissolved it completely. According to the International Labour Organization, unemployment in Tunisia stands at 15% and around four of Tunisia’s twelve million citizens live below the poverty line.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The General Administration of Coastal Security in Libya rescued 71 illegal immigrants off eastern Tripoli coast. The administration said that it was able to rescue migrants after their boat stopped.

The immigrants were detained, legal measures were taken against them, and they were handed over to the illegal immigration agency in terms of jurisdiction.

Last week, the southern border of Libya witnessed the death of 50 illegal immigrants from various African countries, on a journey through the desert on the border between Niger and Libya, where humanitarian organizations found the bodies of the immigrants and were able to rescue 200 other immigrants.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian maritime guards rescued 47 undocumented immigrants from sinking boats off the country’s east-central coast. The Tunisian National Guard said the coast guard units on Thursday received a distress call about several boats being damaged at sea and water leaking on board, adding that those boats were carrying 47 Tunisian illegal immigrants, including a pregnant woman and an infant.

The rescued migrants were given necessary aid and then transported to nearby ports for further medical care, registration, and legal processing.

Thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year through Libya and Tunisia as the main access to Europe through irregular channels. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Malta’s National Statistics Office revealed significant demographic changes in Malta and Gozo, with the latest figures show that the estimated total population of the islands stood at 563,443 at the end of 2023, representing a 3.9% increase from the previous year. The primary driver of this population growth was migration, with a total of 20,960 persons contributing to the increase. Non-EU citizens accounted for 93.1% of the total migrants in 2023. Natural population growth also contributed, with an increase of 432 in 2023, up from 79 in 2022. This rise was due to more live births and fewer deaths. Live births increased by 3.6%, with 40.3% of parents aged 30 to 34. Resident deaths decreased by 4.7% to 4,030, with 69.4% of those deaths among individuals aged 75 and over. By the end of 2023, males made up 53% of the population. Those under 18 years of age accounted for 14.7%, and those aged 65 and over constituted 18.4%.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma