Italy again protagonist in Libya

   

"I will visit Libya on 6 or 7 April, in the first week of the month. It is clear that Italy defends its international interests and cooperation in Libya and in the Mediterranean. If there were conflicting interests, Italy must have no doubt in defending its international interests, nor must it have awe of any partner. In the course of my life it seems to me that I have shown extreme independence in defending the fundamental values ​​of Europe and the nation. Italy's position in Libya is to support the temporary government, guarantee elections by December, respect the ceasefire and there are encouraging elements". So the premier Mario Draghi addressing the Senate in communications in view of the European Council. 

Yesterday, Secretary General Antonio Guterres and several members of the Council - including Great Britain, Mexico, Kenya, Niger and France - reiterated the call for an unconditional withdrawal of regular troops and mercenaries, including those of the Russian private company Wagner. The Turkish troops, the Syrian mercenaries, and on the other side the Russians of the Wagner company, and the many sub-Saharanians who militate alongside Haftar (also yesterday one of his commanders, Mahmoud al-Werfalli, wanted by the International Criminal Court of 'Aja because accused of dozens of summary executions), are still on the field.

Prime Minister Draghi on Turkey"In recent months, and perhaps years, Turkey has not missed an opportunity to be present at all points where it could start wars and to assume the role of defender of the Sunnis of the Islamic world. This was an attitude that created countless points of conflict ". Turkey has loosened its grip with Greece and Cyprus and is to be appreciated for its assistance to Syrian refugees.

Today the Italian Foreign MinisterLuigi DiMaio went to Libya together with his German colleague, Heiko Maas and the French one, Jean Yves Le Drain. They met the new president of the national unity government, Abdulhamid Dbeibah and the foreign minister Najila Al-Mangoush. Together with the United Nations envoy for Libya, Jan Kubis, they met with members of the electoral commission and local UNDP representatives. The objective of the mission, in light of the upcoming national elections scheduled for May 24, is to shore up the political future of the country under a single form of government, trying to favor the transfer of powers to the new transitional executive by the authorities of the Eastern Libya who had formed a parallel government in Tripoli led by Abdullah al-Thinni. The other day the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi and the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan they talked by phone about the future of Libya while Di Maio at the NATO ministerial he discussed the dossier with his American colleague, Antony blinken. This new Italian initiative was not indifferent to the France who, according to reports from Il Sole 24Ore, immediately invited the new head of the Libyan Presidential Council to the French capital, Mohamed Yunis at Menfi who had already met Di Maio in Tripoli last Sunday together with Eni's CEO Claudio DeScalzi.

Meetings on Sunday 

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio flew to Libya last Sunday, first among EU ministers to be received by the new government. Accompanied by Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi, Has  met Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, President of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Yunis al Menfi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Najla Al-Mangoush.

At the end of the talks, he said: "We will work for new opportunities for our companies ", through formats “that will allow Libyan businesses and the economic world to dialogue with ours and create two new opportunities on both fronts”. Di Maio and Descalzi spoke with the new prime minister not only about Eni's activities in the country, but also about the collaboration in the field of renewable energy.

On the table, in addition to the developments of the Libyan question, above all the question of the country's economic revival and the role that Italy can play with its businesses. Di Maio: “A year ago it would have been impossible to imagine a government of national unity in Libya with which to plan investments and the relaunch of the country. Today it is happening and Italy, having supported the path of the United Nations, can be the protagonist ”. Italy and Libya are "united by important geo-strategic interests", "it is essential to continue to relaunch economic cooperation between our companies".

Italy again first partner

The visit comes at a crucial moment: Libya is no longer mired in a war like a year ago, but rather it is "different", with institutions “finally united that represent the whole country, and in this moment Italy is the first interlocutor ". The country finally has the path of reconciliation between the parties with a government of national unity legitimized, for the first time in years, by a parliamentary vote. All the conditions are there, therefore, for a change of gear and Italy, which has always bet on politics and diplomacy, wants to play its part.

Descalzi confirmed to the premier "The full commitment of the company with regard to operational activities and projects in the country, with particular focus on the development of gas, strategic for Eni in its energy transition and for Libya and which will be vital to sustain the expected growth in electricity demand in the Country and reduce the use of sources with a higher carbon impact ".

Eni in Libya

Eni is the leading gas producer in Libya and the main gas supplier to the local market, with a share of around 80%. The society "will continue to play a leading role in gas production thanks to new offshore development projects". Descalzi and Dbeibah also discussed the opportunities to be developed in the country as regards the renewable energy sector, which would make it possible to respond to the increased demand for electricity without increasing local consumption of hydrocarbons and CO2 emissions.

Dbeibah expressed his appreciation "for the historical and strategic partnership with Eni, thanking her for her active role as a primary player in the energy sector and, in the new context of greater stability, she encouraged to promote new investments and to continue the commitment in the social field through constant support to the population in the health and education sectors, and more recently in the electricity generation sector and in the fight against the pandemic from Covid-19 ″.

Eni, present in Libya since 1959, has continued to operate and invest in Libya, despite the difficulties of recent years, also thanks to the support of the state-owned company Noc, a historic partner in the country. The company is ready "to continue to develop the huge reserves of the country already discovered and also to exploit the important exploration potential still present". 

The December elections  

The newly installed government of national unity must lead the country to the parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for December 24, complete the implementation of the ceasefire, demobilize the militias and make room for the UN truce monitoring mission, which is already on the field. The withdrawal of foreign militias is a fundamental point of the peace process but everyone is aware that time must be given to the new government to do its job. A stable Libya benefits everyone, but above all Italy because by improving security in the region, the living conditions of the populations and their economy, migratory flows will also be reduced.

The EU-led mission 'Irini' 

Moreover the Council of the European Union must extend the operation of "Irini" for another two years, until March 31, 2023, the Italian-led mission that began at the end of March 2020 to support the United Nations arms embargo.