VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Libya have strengthened their cooperation on security and migration issues following the return of the patrol boat Al Kifah to the Libyan authorities after repair works carried out in Malta.

The Home Affairs Ministry said the vessel, operated by the Libyan Coast Guard, will support ongoing efforts by both countries to combat human trafficking in the Central Mediterranean.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield described the event as an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between Malta and Libya. He said the two countries share a commitment to promoting security and stability across the Mediterranean region.

Bedingfield noted that cooperation between Malta and Libya has produced tangible results in recent years, particularly in reducing irregular migration and tackling human trafficking networks. He said the decline in irregular arrivals highlights the value of coordinated action between countries facing common challenges.

The minister stressed that further work is needed to strengthen border controls, improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies and intensify efforts against criminal networks facilitating irregular migration.

Referring to the Al Kifah, Bedingfield said the investment demonstrates Malta’s commitment to maritime security and support for operational capabilities in the Central Mediterranean. However, he emphasised that migration challenges cannot be solved through border security measures alone and called for greater attention to the root causes driving people to leave their countries.

He reiterated Malta’s position that prevention should remain central to migration policy and reaffirmed the country’s role as a neutral bridge between Europe and North Africa, promoting dialogue, stability and economic cooperation.

– Ministry of Home Affairs and Security of Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews