LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The international Ngo Alarm Phone confirmed that it has established contact with 28 migrants on a boat in distress in the search and reascue area of Malta. The Ngo said that the boat is moving slowly and communication is difficult. Alarm Phone added that the authorities are alerted and confirmed that the merchant vessel Vos Triton is nearby however no rescue arrived yet. Meanwhile, a member of the crew of the Ngo Sea Watch spoke about what it was described as “shocking interception of a distress case by the East Libyan militia vessel Tareq Bin Zeyad last week.” The crew member said that the crew onboard the Libyan vessel made fun of the Seabird crew while witnessing the Libyans executing an illegal pushback of 250 migrants on an overcrowded boat despite the Maltese Armed Forces who were onboard a military aircraft urged the Libyans not to do so. However, the migrants were brought back to Libya, they were robbed of all their personal belongings and imprisoned.
(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela held official talks with Tunisia’s President Kais Saied and Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden. The enhancement of economic potential between both countries, energy, and immigration were on top of the agenda. Robert Abela stated that renewable energy is the future even for neighbouring countries that are south of Malta. “The theme which we identified the most is that of the renewable energy sector and these talks will continue on a technical level. We hope to come to an agreement, to a Memorandum of Understanding, with which we can have co-operation in the field of renewable energy between Tunisia and Malta”. The Maltese Prime Minister declared that the Mediterranean region also has challenges that need to be addressed holistically. He referred in particular to immigration and emphasized the need for peace and security in the Mediterranean to have stability in Europe. The issue of immigration was also discussed with the Tunisian Prime Minister. Abela added that immigration is a global issue that cannot be addressed by one country or region. He said that in the next few weeks, an international conference on immigration will be held to address human trafficking and other issues. “We identified how important it is to fight against organised crime and human trafficking which profits from human tragedy. This cannot be done by Tunisia or Malta alone. It needs to be a collective effort. I made a vow to be the voice of Tunisia at EU fora as I have been doing for a number of months,” declared the Maltese Prime Minister. Both Prime Ministers agreed on the need for more commercial cooperation between the two countries including the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. The conflict in Sudan, the situations in Syria and the Middle East, and water management, youth and education were also discussed. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Those who monitor the respect of fundamental rights of every person independently from the situation are showing their concern towards the actions taken by the authorities in Sfax.
Videos spread on social media these days and journalistic reports published by correspondents indicate a wave of xenophobic violence in Sfax and also signal that migrants are facing the risk of being abandoned in the desert.
All in Tunisia, a country with which Italy has agreements in place for forced repatriations. In a 2023 report presented to the Parliament, the National Guarantor of the rights of private individuals for personal freedom “systematically looks carefully on every negotiation for migration and asylum,” reads a note, “and already expressed concern about the possible forced relocation of migrants to transit countries even if not bound to the Geneva Convention”.
The report describes as an obvious concern the possible future repatriations of sub-Saharan citizens in Tunisia and the risk of exposing them to harassment and torture. The note concludes, “while expressing this fear, the National Guarantor is certain that solutions will be found in line with the Constitution and far from the inclination to outsource our responsibilities and protection.

– photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta, moratorium of two years on the collection of sea urchins A moratorium has been implemented for a duration of two years on the collection of sea urchins. The collection of sea urchins has been declared illegal by the Maltese government, with immediate effect and individuals found in violation of this regulation will face penalties. However, restaurants and fish importers will be required to maintain the necessary documentation to verify the origin of their catches in case of inspections.
The Maltese government confirmed that a legal notice was introduced after a study conducted by the Environment and Resources Authority revealed that sea urchins in Maltese waters are currently facing the risk of extinction. The government said, “this is part of the authorities’ intensified efforts to restore the population of this endangered species.” Sea urchins play a vital role in maintaining the marine ecosystem by ensuring the survival of 18 different fish species and controlling the spread of invasive alien species.
The Department of Aquaculture has initiated a restocking programme, which involves the cultivation of sea urchins and their subsequent release into the sea. Sea urchins will be collected from the ocean to undergo laboratory processes that will ensure their optimal reproductive health. Their growth will be closely monitored, and comprehensive studies will be conducted on their nutrition and DNA.
The government added: “the authorities are optimistic that within the next two years, there will be a sustainable population of sea urchins in Maltese waters”.

– photo Doi –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese government will be issuing an international public call for wind turbines and solar panels at sea. This was announced by the Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela during a meeting he had with young people in which he discussed a number of subjects of national importance, including the renewable energy sector and the environment. Robert Abela said that the international call aims to aid Malta to keep diversifying its energy sources for cleaner air and to reach the European Union’s goals on clean energy.
He added that this will be done alongside the second interconnector project and the joint cooperation agreement with Libya on an interconnector supplying renewable energy.
The Maltese Prime Minister stated that next week Parliament will discuss the Act that will establish Exclusive Economic Zones, meaning zones outside territorial waters where Malta will hold jurisdiction. These zones will then be used for the generation of renewable energy. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Some 250 migrants are in distress in Maltàs search and rescue area, with the international NGO Alarm Phone is urging European countries to rescue the boat.
In a tweet, the NGO Alarm Phone, which operates a hotline for people crossing the Mediterranean in the hope of safety and a better life in Europe, reported that the migrants left from Libya and has been spotted by a Frontex drone. “They say they saw a Frontex drone above them and fear interception by the Libyan forces. They need rescue to a safe place in Europe!” Alarm Phone said.
According to another NGO, the merchant vessel SAN FELIX was ordered by the Maltese authorities to leave the area. Radio communication between the NGO Sea Watch and the captain of the merchant vessel confirmed this statement, adding that the Maltese authorities are aware of the situation. Sea Watch added, “the migrants are out of fuel and are adrift and alone.”
So far this year, at least 1,728 people have been recorded missing in the central Mediterranean, according to the Missing Migrants Project.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TOKYO (JAPAN) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During the G7 meeting in Tokyo, a cordial meeting was held between Minister Nordio and EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders. Minister Nordio reiterated that “the Italian penal code provides a whole section to crimes against the Public Administration and in this context, the abuse of office represents a superfluous case, with the function of closing the system, applicable only where a different and more cannot be configured serious crime”.
Minister Nordio recalled that “the list of crimes referred to – equivalent to 18 cases – outlines a system capable to inflict effectively any bad conduct of the well-protected. Therefore, even after the revocation of Article 323 of the penal code, the conduct falls within the scope of the current abuse of office and is far from being devoid of any form of state intervention, thus it will be more correctly taken in the context of the judicial review on the administrative action by the administrative judge.
“It is a question, in other words, of proposing in the correct terms the relationship between administrative irregularity/illegality of the act and illicitness of the conduct, according to a full dimension compatible with the proposed EU Directive referred to above (Articles 10 and 11)”, explains the ministry. Nordio found “the keen attention of the Commissioner Reynders” to whom he also provided a series of statistics relating to the outcome of proceedings for abuse of office: “in particular, in the last year (2021), out of a total of 5,292 definite proceedings, only 9 convictions were registered, thereby underlining the reduced effectiveness of the results achieved and their absolute disproportion with respect to necessary resources (human and economic) to carry out these proceedings, as a rule, it is particularly complex, and moreover in a constitutional system characterized by the mandatory exercise of the prosecution”, underlines the ministry.
“The legislative initiative that the Government is preparing to publish, therefore, would also have the effect of reducing the workload on proxies, with a clear, overall improvement on the duration of criminal proceedings, which is one of the priority objectives that the European Commission itself expects from Italy”, concludes the ministry.

– photo press office Minister of Justice –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

TUNIS (TUNISIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Italy and the International Organization for Migration signed an agreement on diaspora engagement in the implementation of phase 2 of the Mobi-TRE project/”Migration as a resource for the mobilization of the Tunisian diaspora and the stabilization of disadvantaged communities in Tunisia”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation(AICS). The agreement was signed, at the residence of the Italian Ambassador in Tunis.

The new agreement is based on the successes and lessons learned during the first stage of the project which will continue to provide the Tunisian diaspora with the most appropriate tools to contribute to the development of their country of origin, stimulate investment and entrepreneurship among the young people and women from the most vulnerable regions and with high rates of migratory mobility, and create sustainable decent jobs for all.

The signing of the agreement with the IOM “is further testimony of the global approach promoted by the Italian Government for its strategic planning in the field of human mobility. With this new contribution of 2 million euros, we reiterate our commitment to invest in human capital as an invaluable source for the development of the country,” said the Italian ambassador, Fabrizio Saggio.

The Head of the AICS office in Tunis, Andrea Senatori said “Mobi-TRE is one of the most innovative projects we finance, because, for the first time, it involves the Tunisian diaspora in new investments in their country of origin, encouraging their active participation in development actions, away from traditional models. The diaspora, by its nature, is firmly linked to the territory of origin and destination, but can be both a cultural bridge and a lever for economic development”.

Under the first phase of Mobi-TRE, 56 business projects in 14 governorates have enabled the creation and consolidation of 367 jobs, of which 151 with regular employment contracts, particularly for young people between 18 and 30 years old (60%), 76% of which are women.

Azzouz SAMRI, Head of the IOM mission in Tunisia stressed “IOM Tunisia is delighted with the success of the first phase of Mobi-TRE in partnership with the AICS, and looks forward to the renewal of the second phase which aims to consolidate the results obtained in strengthening the engagement of the diaspora and its contribution to the development of Tunisia”.

To create greater ties between the country of origin and target those through a transnational development perspective, phase 2 of Mobi-TRE will extend its action to Tunisians residing abroad in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, France, and Italy. This is based on several criteria, particularly in France, Italy, and Germany, on economic cooperation and historical migratory relations with the Ivory Coast, and financial aid from Saudi Arabia. An innovative aspect of this second phase will be the technical support provided to companies, which will enable them to enter new markets and sell their products online. Finally, even more than in the first phase, priority will be given to women and young people, vulnerable groups, and business projects based on a social and solidarity economy capable of creating direct and indirect employment, as well as a sustainable environment.

– photo press office Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (AICS) –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese President George Vella stated that Malta considers Greece one of its closest partners within the Euro-Mediterranean region, sharing similar purposes and concerns. During official talks in Athens with the Greek President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou, both agreed on the excellent relations between both countries based on shared values
During the official talks, Vella and Sakellaropoulou recognized the increased cooperation between both countries especially in trade, tourism, maritime affairs, technology, and culture.
Both Presidents agreed on the necessity of a European Union solution for the problem of migration in the Mediterranean, described as a “priority” for Malta and Greece.
The developments in North Africa and the escalation of violence in the Middle East were also discussed. Both Presidents also focused on the Russian war in Ukraine and its consequences for the energy and economic sectors in particular.
Vella and Sakellaropoulou agreed that multilateralism is ever more necessary and referred to Maltàs seat on the UNSC and Greecès bid for the term 2025-2026.
The Maltese President also met with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. On behalf of the government and the people of Malta, the President conveyed his best wishes to the newly elected government and the people of the Hellenic Republic.

– photo Department of Information Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A total of 12 individuals died by suicide in the first five months of 2023. The information was tabled in Parliament by deputy prime minister and health minister Chris Fearne. The number is slightly higher than the average of two suicide deaths per month, which was retained for the past 11 years, according to statistics by the Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Mental Disorders. The Office of the Commissioner had issued a statement last September on World Suicide Prevention Day saying that each suicide death is potentially preventable. The Office of the Commissioner had spoken about the importance of raising awareness at all levels, in order to be in a position to recognise and offer help to individuals in such situations, thereby potentially reducing instances of suicide. The figures published last year, statistics found that 83% of these deaths were males, while 22% were foreigners. The victims were aged from below 16 years up to over 95 years of age, with the 40 to 50-year bracket being the most prevalent. The statistics published last year show that over the past seven years, each person who committed suicide below the age of 65, lost an average of 20 years of productive life. Leading psychiatrists and psychologists expressed their concern that the psychiatric sector in Malta is one of the last to be given importance by the Maltese authorities.

(ITALPRESS).

Photo Credits: www.agenziafotogramma.it

Source: medNews