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LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – The French non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières that provides humanitarian medical care saved two groups of migrants, and are on their way to disembark in Salerno as instructed by the Italian authorities.
However, the NGO accused the Libyan authorities with dangerous maneuvers during one of the rescue operations of the first group of migrants in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea. The NGO described it as “a clear threat to people’s safety” when a boat from the Libyan Stability Support Apparatus dangerously approached the area where the Médecins Sans Frontières teams were conducting a rescue. This triggered fear among the migrants who jumped into the sea. The NGO added that they were performing a rescue of an overcrowded unseaworthy rubber boat, and when one boat from the Stability Support Apparatus of Libya approached closely, it endangered the safety of 87 migrants. “Their threatening maneuvers caused panic, people jumped – a situation that could have ended deadly for many without the presence of civil sea rescue”. Meanwhile, a Médecins Sans Frontières team spotted 12 migrants in distress on a small fiberglass boat. Everyone was rescued and is safely onboard the vessel Geobarents. In total, the ship has 99 survivors on board and is navigating towards the port of Salerno, the place of safety assigned by the Italian authorities.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Medici Senza Frontiere

PADUA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The opening of the 4th World Architectour Africa at the Padua Fair is serving as a meeting hub for buyers, designers and architects from Algeria, Angola, Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia.

Between today and tomorrow they have the opportunity to meet about 40 Italian companies of Arredo- Design excellency. 30% are coming from the region of Marche, 30% from Veneto and the rest from Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Abruzzo and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The opening saw the participation of Ouafa Zahi, Consul General of Morocco in Verona, who recalled the good relations of friendship and cooperation with Italy.

In the inaugural greetings, Alessandra Pastorelli, the Head of the Directorate General Office for the Promotion of the Country System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, congratulated the Ministry for the organization of this event that facilitates partnership relations with African nations: “Design and architecture are leading factors of Italian exports to the African continent, which in 2023 reached the 19.9 billion euros on which the wood-furniture sector alone accounts to 53%. That is why we consider this event strategic.”

Franco Conzato, Special Representative of Venicepromex – Agency for the internationalisation of the Veneto Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is an event of the highest quality for those who want to experience commercial opportunities through direct contacts”.

The 4th edition of this special event, which includes 1,100 meetings between economic operators, for Nicola Rossi, President of the Padua Hall “is an indication of the great attention that this sector is given by Made in Italy to a continent that is expanding economically and demographically. For our part, we have selected companies of good reputation and able to meet the demands of a growing market.”

At the 4th World Architectour Africa (organisational secretary curated by Mèdinit) the presence of the Marche region is strong. The Marche region and Tecne (Special Company of the Marche Chamber of Commerce for the Mobile and Mechanical sectors) support the project, which also sees the presence of the Veneto region, sponsor of the initiative together with the Province, Municipality and Chamber of Commerce of Padua.

The participating companies offer furniture, lighting, furnishing accessories and interior finishes, while foreign buyers are mainly representing important architecture firms; including resellers with presence in different regions and multiple points of sale, and contractors who manage large and luxurious construction sites in Africa.

Andrea Andreani and Francesco Gurini of Scavolini SpA explained that for over 20 years the Pesaro Urbino company has been working with Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Ghana and Mauritius offering medium-high range customers their modular furniture: “With 300 points of sale in the world, including the mentioned seven countries, we intend to increase the presence in a market that is maturing”.

Loredana Sandonà, General Manager of Gold Line Italia Srl of Vicenza (Castelfidardo-AN), is participating for the first time, but for 20 years she has been exporting silver or gold statues to Arab countries, thanks to a fair in Dubai, said: “For a year we have had Libyan customers, first of all General Haftar for whom we have made horses, swords and other ornaments based on the photos of the originals he sent us. Now we want to try to enter the African market.”

Barbara Frigo from Bisazza SpA (Vicenza) spoke about the first works 50 years ago in Còte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria and the Maghreb. “There were facades of hotels, villas and government buildings always made of mosaic. The exterior of the minaret of the Casablanca mosque had been followed directly by the founder Renato Bisazza, in collaboration with the king of Morocco. We work on the client’s design, but we also propose our own designs. Being jobs that often require 24 carat gold weaves even for exteriors, African clients are VIPs: a growing market. To a Senegalese client we coated a pool in gold mosaic and also worked for the residences of the Royal House of Morocco.”

Dino Perutta of H2O Style Srl (Verona): “We are now overlooking Africa proposing stainless steel hot tubs for 4-5 star hotels and luxurious villas. We will open a showroom from which positive responses will come.”

Giulia Modenese of Modenese Gastone Interiors, Srl (Padua), explained: “For us the African market for 10 years has been the new America, even if it is still early to evaluate the benefits of the new inter-African market, which will certainly come. Our interior decorations are a niche product that expresses itself with woodworking, objects, lighting, textiles, furniture, windows and tools. All pieces designed for African VIPs.”

– Foto Padua Fair press office –

(ITALPRESS).

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Italy is considered a key country on multiple levels for Libya and in particular in view of the 17 July migration forum in Tripoli. This was stated in an interview with Italpress by the Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs of the Government of National Unity of Libya based in Tripoli, Walid Ellafi.
“Italy’s geographical position, its influence on the migration issue and its relationship with Libya and the countries of the southern Mediterranean are all factors that make the Italian contribution a central issue. It does not limit itself to providing technical, logistical and technical support in the framework of security cooperation, but rather goes beyond what can be provided through partnership, economic and trade integration and the advancement of vital development projects”, Ellafi explained.
Next Wednesday’s forum will serve to “create a working group of participating countries and interested countries, to work and implement the forum’s vision of moving from unilateral approaches to security towards comprehensive approaches to development,” he added.
The working group will be “responsible for identifying economic areas vital for development in each country and determining financing tools and methods”, he concluded.
There will be 11 countries present at the forum, which will aim to find practical solutions to the immigration problem.
According to Ellafi, the initiative represents a strategic vision on the issue of immigration in collaboration with European and African countries. Italy, Malta, Niger, Chad, Spain, Greece, the Czech Republic, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia and the Netherlands will participate in the forum, as well as the Arab League, the African Union and the European Union.
Interior Minister Trabelsi said that the migration crisis has been worsening in the country for 10 years and has reached its peak this year. The number of irregular migrants in Libya, according to Trabelsi, has reached 2.5 million, indicating that Libya has transformed from a transit country to a country of residence. The minister called on the armed forces of eastern Libya to cooperate to protect the southern border.
– source: Libyan Ministry of the Interior-
(ITALPRESS).

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Shore-to-Ship technology allowing cruise liners to plug into Maltàs electric grid when docked has been officially launched in the Grand Harbour. The €33 million project, was co-financed by the EU.
The inauguration of the project followed an eight-month trial phase. Five cruise liners will be allowed to be powered through the grid simultaneously. Next to the cruise liner MSC World Europa, a cruise liner that is equipped with OPS technology, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela said the project will mean 90% less pollution for the roughly 17,000 people who live around the Grand Harbour. However, that 90% reduction will only come into full effect in 2030, once an EU law requiring all cruise liners to plug into an on-shore power supply (OPS) comes into force. As of 2024, just one-third of the ships that call at the Valletta Cruise Port are equipped with OPS technology, allowing them to draw power from the grid and switch off their engines while docked. Various cruise liners are retrofitting the technology and will be OPS-ready by the end of this year.
Energy usage would be charged at unsubsidised commercial rates determined by the energy regulator. The Maltese Premier added, “technology like OPS allows the maritime industry to grow with fewer environmental consequences.” He said, “We either shrink the maritime economy or invest in projects that overcome the challenges”. He said the government is implementing a similar shore-to-ship project near the Freeport in Birzebbuga.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Chris Bonett said Malta is the first Mediterranean port to have the technology available. The new system is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Moored ships will also produce 40 per cent less greenhouse gases, Bonett said.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Malta Department of Information –

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs debt has continued to increase, close to 10 billion euro, according to new national statistics. Meanwhile, the Maltese government has decreased its deficit in the first quarter of this year. Maltàs debt is at 9.97 billion, up from the 9.24 billion recorded last year, equivalent to 50.4% of Maltàs GDP. Malta is on track to keep its debt-to-GDP ratio under 60% to avoid falling under the EU regulations over debt levels, something it has failed to do for its deficit. Last month, the European Commission warned eight member states, including Malta, over their excessive budget deficits. Data for the first quarter of 2024 shows that the government’s revenue has imcreased by a fifth compared to the same period last year, almost reaching 1.69 billion. But its spending has also increased by 5.5%, to reach 1.75 billion. This means Maltàs deficit for the first three months of the year was of 59 million. The increased revenue is a result of by more tax collection, with almost 650 million collected in taxes on income and wealth between January and March, roughly 150 million more than in the first quarter of 2023. The government also received 70 million more in taxes on imports and production and increased its income from social contributions by 30 million. However, the government’s spending on its employees has increased to almost 511 million, more than any other point in its history, and 30 million more than during the same period in 2023. Government spending on social benefits has also increased drastically by 53 million compared to the first quarter of last year.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Malta Tourism Office –

TRIPOLI (LIBIA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – A United States Triton drone was observed monitoring the Libyan coasts near Al-Khums, Tripoli, and Zuwara. The information was shared by the Italian military radar in a post on the “X” platform. According to the radar data, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was patrolling the coastal areas, highlighting ongoing surveillance operations in the region. The exact purpose of the drone’s mission remains undisclosed, but such activities are typically associated with monitoring maritime security and gathering intelligence. The presence of the U.S. drone underscores the continued international interest in the stability and security of Libya, particularly in light of recent political and security developments in the country. The use of advanced UAVs like the Triton, which is capable of long-endurance flights and high-altitude surveillance, signifies a significant investment in maintaining situational awareness over the Mediterranean Sea and the Libyan coastline. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Ipa Agency

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta is in real risk that will be suspended from the Schengen area due to its failure to implement a new passport control system, known as the Entry/Exit System, EES. The EES is a centralized automated IT system that will record and store the date, time, and place of entry and exit of non-EU nationals crossing the EU’s external borders. It will apply to those requiring short-stay visas as well as visa-exempt travelers from non-EU countries visiting for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The Home Affairs Ministry has acknowledged Malta is in a race against time to have its border control system aligned with new EU rules by the October 2024 deadline, stating it is in talks with Brussels over potential contingency plans to avoid any risk of being suspended from the free movement area.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Party MEP Peter Agius said that he had requested an informal meeting with the European Commission, who told him that there is a “real risk” that Malta is suspended from the Schengen Area since it continues to lack the required electronic system to verify fingerprints and passports.
According to the European Commission, the Maltese Government is creating a temporary manual system of passport control and that, through this, Malta would avoid being suspended from the Schengen zone this October. The system, however, may be bureaucratic and time-consuming.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

ABU DHABI (ITALPRESS/MNA) – “Cordial and fruitful meeting with Jamaal Al Kaabi, new Director of Wam news, the UAE news agency”. This is what the Embassy of Italy in the United Arab Emirates said in a post on its X profile following the meeting, adding, “We discussed the opportunities to deepen mutual knowledge between Italy and the United Arab Emirates through new communication initiatives”.
Photo: Embassy of Italy in the United Arab Emirates on X
(ITALPRESS)