LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta can continue to assist in developing the “capacities” of Libyan law enforcement, fight international crime in the Mediterranean and strengthen the human resources of the Libyan security forces. This was declared by the Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri during a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibeh in Tripoli. “The security situation in Libya has a direct impact on the centre of the Mediterranean and the southern part of Europe. The collaboration between Libya and neighbouring countries such as Malta translates into the protection of Maltese and Libyan citizens,” Camilleri said. During the discussions, Camilleri discussed law enforcement and security, including training exercises for Libyan law enforcement officials. At the end of the visit, Camilleri thanked the Libyan authorities for their continued cooperation, noting the progress made by the Libyan authorities as he wished that the European Union and Libya would work together more to strengthen this process. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: DOI

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Following the rescue of 56 migrants from distress at sea in international waters last Wednesday, the Italian authorities have detained the Sea-Watch 5 for 20 days. This was confirmed by the German NGO Sea-Watch.
Previously, a 17-year-old boy died on board after Italy, Malta, and Tunisia refused to evacuate him. 4 other people in critical condition were only brought to the Italian mainland after 9 hours. The remaining 51 people and the body of the boy were disembarked in Pozzallo, Sicily, last Friday following political and media pressure. Sea-Watch added that the Italian authorities had previously assigned Ravenna, over 1500 kilometers away, as the port of safety. Last Wednesday, during the rescue of 56 people from an overcrowded wooden boat, crew members discovered several people below deck, four of whom were unconscious. A 17-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on board the Sea-Watch 5 and was initially resuscitated. In the afternoon, he was confirmed dead by the doctors on board. Before, the crew of the Sea-Watch urged the relevant authorities to evacuate the patient and three more rescued people medically. All coastal states were alerted, but neither Italy, Malta, nor Tunisia initiated an evacuation or took over the coordination. Sea-Watch said: “After landing the remaining 51 survivors, Italian authorities detained the Sea-Watch 5 on the evening of March 8. The reasons given by the authorities are false: Sea-Watch did not disobey the instructions of the so-called Libyan Coast Guard, but rather, the Libyan ship Fezzan repeatedly failed to respond to radio contact while bringing dozens of people from another distress case on board to tow them back to Libya forcibly. The Tunisian authorities repeatedly addressed by Sea-Watch did not speak English at first, then denied any responsibility for a medical evacuation and ordered us to contact Italy. The International Radio Medical Center, which reports to the Italian Ministry of Transport, told us to maintain our course north at full speed”. Oliver Kulikowski, Sea-Watch spokesperson said: “The detention of the Sea-Watch 5 is a purely political maneuver. Italy seems to be using any means to divert attention from its failure to provide assistance”. Meanwhile, 85 migrants are reported missing in the central Mediterranean. The NGO Alarm Phone confirmed it has lost contact with the group who escaped from Libya. The NGO added that the Libyan coastguard claimed “they could not find them.” Alarm Phone has requested an extensive search and rescue operation to a place of safety. This case follows another group of 50 migrants who were in distress in the Central Mediterranean. They had fled from Libya and said their engine had broken down amidst the bad weather. Alarm Phone confirmed that it has lost contact and the Libyan coastguards while were fast to intercept, so far have not found the migrants.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Ufficio stampa Sea Watch

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – During an official visit to Libya, Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, stressed that the cooperation and collaboration between Malta and Libya is very strong. This is built on historical relations that in recent years have continued to flourish in various areas, both those linked to the Home Affairs Ministry, as well as also in other areas, such as trade and energy. Minister Camilleri explained that this relationship is essential in order to bring stability to the Mediterranean.
During this visit, the brave work carried out last September by the Maltese Civil Protection workers was commended. In less than 24 hours, a team of 73 members of the Department of Civil Protection and the Armed Forces left for Libya on a sea voyage to help in a major search and rescue operation in Libyàs east, which had been hit hard by storm Daniel. This mission was recognized during a bilateral meeting that Minister Byron Camilleri had with the Libyan Minister of Home Affairs, Emad Al-Trabelsi, who recognized the great work carried out by Maltàs Civil Protection and Army to save lives. During the meeting with the Libyan Minister of Home Affairs in Tripoli, Minister Byron Camilleri said the commercial relationship between Malta and Libya after the Libyan revolution is flourishing once again, thanks to the fact that Malta was the first country to start its direct flights to Libya again.

foto: DOI

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta has formally signed the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention, becoming one of the first countries to sign the first major treaty concerning international criminal law since the Rome Statute established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Malta was represented by its justice minister Jonathan Attard, who welcomed the signing of the convention as an important step for the prosecution of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. “The conflicts presently taking place in various parts of the world emphasise the need to strengthen the international law framework, including through such developments that provide new tools through which justice can be delivered and ensure that human rights enjoy stronger protections,” Attard said. The minister added that Malta’s decision to sign highlighted the government’s commitment to effective justice, including on an international level. The aim of the convention is made clear in its full official name: the Ljubljana–The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Crime of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes. The first of the two cities named in the treaty, Ljubljana, is the city in which the text of the convention was agreed upon following negotiations last May. The Hague – the Dutch city in which the ICC is based – hosted the official signing ceremony in which 34 countries, including Malta, signed the treaty. The signing ceremony took place in the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice – the UN’s principal judicial body – and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The ICC, which is distinct from the ICJ, is based in nearby headquarters within The Hague’s international zone. The convention is the culmination of an initiative jointly launched by Belgium, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Argentina, with the aim of closing a significant gap in the international legal system: the absence of a multilateral treaty that sufficiently regulates mutual legal assistance. These four countries were later joined by Senegal and Mongolia in what became the “core group” spearheading the initiative.  (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Ipa-Agency

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Italy assigned the nearest port of Ravenna to the German NGO Sea Watch to bring survivors and the body of a 17-year-old boy safely ashore. “We were assigned Ravenna – 1,500 kilometers away, due to the weather and predicted 3.5 meter waves it would take us 7 days to get there,” said the NGO. Following the rescue of 56 migrants from distress at sea in international waters, a 17-year-old boy on board had to be resuscitated after suffering a cardiac arrest. Just over two hours later, he could no longer be helped and died on board. The crew of the Sea-Watch 5 had previously requested a medical evacuation for him and other rescued people from several state rescue centers, but this was refused. Four survivors on board are in critical medical condition and are awaiting evacuation. During the rescue of 56 people from an overcrowded wooden boat, crew members discovered several people below deck, four of whom were unconscious. According to survivors, they had been exposed to oxygen deprivation and gasoline fumes for about 10 hours. The crew of the Sea-Watch urged the relevant authorities to medically evacuate the patients. All coastal states were alerted, but neither Italy, Malta, nor Tunisia initiated an evacuation or took over the coordination. Hugo Grenier, Head of Operations on board the Sea-Watch 5: “We are sad and angry. Europe’s isolationist policy has claimed another victim on board our ship. Despite hours of pleas for a medical evacuation, no coastal state has responded to our request”. “It is intolerable how EU states are shirking their responsibility. Authorities are quick and effective when blocking civil rescue efforts but inactive when it comes to life and death in the Mediterranean,” says Giulia Messmer, spokesperson for Sea-Watch.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Tunisian Minister for Social Affairs Malek Ezzahi ended his official visit to Italy yesterday, during which he met the Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli, and visited the Albergo Etico, the non-Catholic cemetery of Rome and the Trattoria degli Amici to discuss planning and inclusion initiatives.

“They were three intense days of meetings, discussion and above all sharing good practices,” explained Minister Alessandra Locatelli. “We worked with the Scientific Technical Committee of the National Observatory on the condition of people with disabilities (OND) and met the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with which we will address the new working programme”.

“This visit was an opportunity to strengthen the dialogue started last year at the World Conference on Disability in New York and after my participation in October as guest of honour, in Tunis, at the High Level Conference for the implementation of the second Arab Plan for people with disabilities 2023-2032,” added Locatelli.

She reaffirmed Italy’s commitment towards the rights of people with disabilities. “We will continue to work together to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and guarantee everyone the right to full participation in social, civil and political life in all countries. For this reason I have decided to formally invite Tunisia as a special guest, to take part in the first G7 ‘Inclusion and Disability’ which will be held from 14 to 16 October in Umbria. I am sure that together we can do more and more for everyone.”

– Photo: Ministry for Disability press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

KUWAIT CITY (ITALPRESS) – The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, concluded his visit to Kuwait, during which he met his counterpart, Fahad Al Sabah and visited the Italian contingent.
Talks focused on cooperation between Italy and Kuwait in the fight against Daesh and in promoting regional stability. “Italy and Kuwait are actively engaged in countering the threat of Daesh and promoting regional stability. Today’s meeting intends to give common initiatives even with greater determination and effort. Italy and Kuwait will continue to work together to address common threats, in a period of great instability,” declared Minister Crosetto.
Regarding the crisis in the Middle East and the terrorist attacks by the Houthis on ships transiting the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, Crosetto underlined: “They are an act of physical and hybrid war which affect the economies of some countries, facilitating others, whose ships are not intentionally attacked. To counter these attacks, Italy participates in the European Aspides Mission, recently approved by Parliament, of which it holds the Tactical Command”.
Crosetto added that cooperation in the defense sector is also of great interest. “It is fundamental”, stated Minister Crosetto, “to face emerging challenges and guarantee the safety of our citizens. There are many joint activities and sectors in which the Armed Forces of our countries collaborate: education, training and meetings, useful for sharing the lessons learned from their respective operational experiences. A commitment that confirms the friendship between Italy and Kuwait, essential to increase further the solid and lasting bilateral relations”.
During the visit, Minister Crosetto met the soldiers of the Italian National Contingent Command Air (IT NCC AIR). While addressing them, he stated: “The Nation is grateful to you for what you are doing, for your precious contribution to peace and regional stability. On behalf of the institutions and my staff, I thank you for the professionalism and commitment with which you work, for the spirit of service and for the sacrifices you face every day. Be aware that what you do for international security is useful to Italy and strengthens its role at an international level”.
The contingent is part of Operation Prima Parthica with the aim of ensuring the necessary conditions in order to continue the stability process in Iraq and support the Security Forces in the fight against Daesh.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma-

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The NGO SOS Humanity said that the Italian authorities have assigned the port of Crotone instead of Bari, as the place of safety for the 77 survivors who were rescued over the weekend, after the captain asked the Italian authorities for a closer port for their disembarkation. The 77 migrants were saved following a dangerous maneuver by a patrol boat of the Libyan Coast Guard during which the Libyan officials opened fire while rescuing migrants from three overcrowded boats. The Coast Guard allegedly interrupted the rescue operation and fired live ammunition into the water, causing panic among the migrants. At least one migrant drowned and others were forced back to Libya in violation of international law. Meanwhile, the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 operated by the German NGO Sea-Watch rescued 70 individuals in two operations. “While the Italian authorities assigned Reggio Calabria as a port of safety, 4 meters waves block our northward path, and it’s not safe to proceed,” confirmed the NGO added that it is seeking shelter near Lampedusa as their only option.

(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS) – Hamas mediators and envoys have made “significant progress” towards a truce in Gaza. This was reported by Egyptian state television as the talks in Cairo enter their second day.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States have pushed for a ceasefire in the nearly five-month war between Israel and Hamas. Israel did not send a negotiating team to Cairo after receiving an unsatisfactory response from Hamas on the latest framework drawn up in Paris last weekend.

The Palestinian organization has refused to respond to Jerusalem’s request to provide a list of living hostages and to set the number of Palestinian prisoners Israel must release for each hostage released, an Israeli official said.

An unnamed Hamas official told the Wall Street Journal that while there is slow progress toward an agreement on a temporary ceasefire and hostage deal, it appears unlikely to be reached before the start of Ramadan on the 10th March, and instead it could be completed by the end of the month, i.e. the first weekend of the Muslim holy month.

Egyptian and Qatari officials say there has been no contact with Hamas’ Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar for at least a week.

Anonymous officials quoted by “Channel 12”, “Ynet” and other Israeli media said that Jerusalem suspects that Sinwar has no intention of reaching an agreement in the coming days and hopes to intensify violence during Ramadan. In such a scenario, Israel fears an escalation not only along the borders with Gaza and Lebanon, but also in the West Bank, where tension is high, as well as in Jerusalem, where clashes over the Temple Mount and access to sacred sites are widely anticipated.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Cardiovascular disease was Maltàs leading cause of death in 2022, taking 1,211 lives. According to information tabled in parliament, the vast majority of those who died from cardiovascular disease were 65 years old or older, as the elderly make up 1,080 of the total victims. Meanwhile, 117 people aged between 45 and 64 years old died from the same cause. The second leading disease in 2022 was cancer, which claimed the lives of 1,037 people. Similarly, elderly people made up the majority of the victims, with 836 deaths. Cancer also claimed the lives of 180 people aged between 45 and 64 years old. Meanwhile, four people aged between one and 24 years old died from the disease, while 17 people between 25 and 44 years old fell victim to cancer. Respiratory diseases killed 517 people in 2022, with 481 of them being 65 years old or older.
Dementia was the cause of death of 352 people, with five people aged between 45 and 64 dying of the disease. The remaining 347 were 65 years old or older. When it comes to diabetes, 160 elderly people died from the disease. The information tabled in parliament also included the amount of babies that died due to complications before, during or after birth. These totalled 13 babies. 2022 was the deadliest year with regards to traffic accident deaths, with 29 in total. Ten of these were elderly people, as five victims were aged between one year old and 24 years old. 113 deaths were caused by accidents including drowning and falling. During the final pandemic year, there were a total of 201 deaths due to Covid-19. Of these deaths, 177 people were elderly, 20 were between 45 and 64 years old and three were between 25 and 44 years old. The statistics also show that one person who died from Covid-19 who was aged between one and 24 years old.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –

Source: medNews