MaltaMedia.com

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Tonio Borg has requested the General Affairs and External Relations Council to discuss the issue of Schengen country citizens not allowed to enter Libya during next Monday’s meeting in Brussels.

This Council is made up of all EU Foreign Ministers and meets once a month. In a letter sent to Ms Catherine Ashton, Vice President of the European Commission, the Foreign Minister, Dr Tonio Borg has asked for the inclusion in the agenda of the issue that cropped up with Libya during the last hours.

In view of the fact that Libya has, during the past hours, refused to issue visas to citizens from the Schengen area, except those who are in possession of a valid residence permit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends all Maltese travellers to consult the Libyan Embassy in Malta prior to travelling to Libya. This advice is being given since no assurances are being given for entry to Libya even to those who are already in possession of a Schengen visa.

This measure was announced by Libya in view of the fact that Switzerland, which though not an EU member, is part of the Schengen area, has objected to the issuance of Schengen visas to 180 Libyan nationals, including certain VIPs.

This means that full Schengen visas cannot be issued to these persons by any country which is part of the Schengen Visa System.

In a letter sent to the Minister for the Interior of Switzerland, Home Affairs Minister Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici condemned the decision taken by Switzerland concerning the denial of visa for the 180 Libyan citizens.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici stated that a number of Maltese nationals were consequently denied visas in Libya following this incident. At the moment, Libya is denying visas to all Schengen countries.

In his letter, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, “May I bring this matter to your attention to ensure that we all act together, aware of the importance of implementing properly our Schengen obligations in the interest of freedom and security of our citizens.”

Whilst banning a number of visas to Libyan citizens, some of whom being public figures, Switzerland asked to be consulted by other Schengen countries regarding visa applications by Libyan nationals.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the Schengen rules existed so as to protect the Schengen countries and their citizens, but never to be used as an abuse of power.

According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the foreign ministers of Malta, Libya and Italy, are making plans to meet in Rome on Wednesday to discuss the issue.