Rome: Libyan political stability is "a priority for Italy's national security," Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement to Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who serves as her counterpart in the transitional government of Libya, on Wednesday.
The main topics they discussed during a lengthy meeting in Rome were, according to sources, increased joint efforts to combat illegal migration and cooperation in the fields of energy and waste management.
According to Meloni, Libya "remains an economic strategic partner for Italy." The need "to hold Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible," she added, was also emphasised. She also stated that "Italy will continue to work to guarantee the success of the United Nations mediation."
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Dbeibah was accompanied by the Libyan ministers of foreign affairs, interior, transport, and communications, according to sources in the Italian prime minister's office who spoke to Arab News.
Along with Antonio Tajani, who is also the foreign minister, and Matteo Salvini, ministers of business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso, and interior minister Matteo Piantedosi were also present.
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A memorandum of understanding was signed by Piantedosi and his Libyan counterpart to improve security cooperation. Claudio De Scalzi, CEO of the Italian energy company ENI, and a representative of the Libyan National Oil Corporation signed an agreement outside the meeting for joint initiatives to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
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In addition, a memorandum of understanding for an underwater data cable connecting the two nations was signed by Telecom Italia Sparkle and the Libyan Post Telecommunications and Information Technology Company.