Statement by President Prodi during visit of Colonel Kadhafi to the European Commission

I am very happy about the visit of Colonel Kadhafi to the Commission: this is the result of 5 years of personal contacts and discussions between the two of us.

I welcome the Libyan statements towards promotion of peace, stability, prosperity in the Mediterranean and African regions. The EU shares these objectives and wants to work on them together with Libya.

Libya and the EU attach great importance to the development and integration of the African continent. We have decided to consult further on joint co-operation to the benefit of Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Mediterranean Basin is our natural area of common interest: we need to work together on peace, stability, migration, security, economic reform, and cultural co-operation. This is the essence of our New Neighbourhood Policy, within which Libya must find its place.

To that end, Barcelona is a privileged framework for dialogue and co-operation. We are committed to make Libya a full member of the Barcelona Process as soon as possible.

I salute the resolution by Libya of several major issues with some Member States and the bold moves taken in recent months under Colonel Khadafi's leadership on weapons of mass destruction. In this way, Libya has gained respect in Europe and the world.

Quick and fair settlement of other open issues, notably with Germany and Bulgaria, must be found. I've listened carefully to Colonel Khadafi's remarks on these issues today, and I am fully confident that we will see in the next few weeks satisfactory solutions.

I have to point out that on the issue of the Benghazi hospital, I want to express my deepest sympathy to the families and children. I am studying a possible initiative of the Commission to help in a meaningful way in this respect.

I am also confident that justice and humanitarian principles will help to find a positive outcome for the detainees.

I am confident that, on this basis, the enlarged EU will stand ready to work with Libya to work for the common good in the Mediterranean and beyond. Today is a great day for which I want to thank warmly Colonel Kadhafi and all his collaborators.

| Top |