Çavuşoğlu: We were always going to stand by the brotherly Libyan people

Minister Çavuşoğlu met with Minister for European and Foreign Affairs Evarist Bartolo of Malta during his visit to Malta to discuss our bilateral cooperation and regional issues.

On Thursday, Minister Çavuşoğlu paid a visit to Libya together with Minister for European and Foreign Affairs Evarist Bartolo of Malta and met with Fayez al-Sarraj, the President of the Presidential Council of Libya and stated that we would maintain our solidarity with the people and the legitimate government of Libya.

Later that day, Minister Çavuşoğlu met with Khalid al-Mishri, President of the High Council of State of Libya, and the new executives of the Council.

During this meeting, the political process and the current state of play in our bilateral relations were discussed. Minister Çavuşoğlu highlighted that we were always going to stand by the brotherly Libyan people.

On the same day, Minister Çavuşoğlu also had a frank meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammed Tahir Siyala of Libya, together with his counterpart Evarist Bartolo of Malta.

Minister Çavuşoğlu emphasized that together with Malta they were strengthening relations with the legitimate government, and that they would support Libya on the fight against irregular migration and that all other Mediterranean countries should enhance their cooperation with Libya as well.

Minister Çavuşoğlu returned to Malta on the same day and was received by President George Vella of Malta and conveyed him the best wishes of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the agreements signed during his term as Foreign Minister of Malta greatly contributed to the development of our relations and Turkey would also work together with Malta on the Libyan crisis and irregular migration.

Later that day, Minister Çavuşoğlu met with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell.

Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the EU should keep its promises on migration, that Turkey-EU relations should not be taken hostage by some EU member states.

Minister Çavuşoğlu also met with High Representative Josep Borrell of the EU, together with his Maltese counterpart Evarist Bartolo.

Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that Turkey was pleased of Malta's decision to withdraw from EU's one-sided Operation Irini on Libya, and expressed that Malta's cooperation with the legitimate government of Libya should set an example for other EU member states. (ILKHA)