Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner is to visit Libya on the 9th and the 10th February in a bid to reinforce EU-Libya relations where she will meet representatives of the Libyan government.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, will review the progress in developing EU-Libya relations since negotiations for an EU-Libya Framework Agreement started last November.

While in Tripoli, the Commissioner will open the second round of negotiations for this Agreement. The visit will also launch the programming of the EU financial cooperation with Libya for the years until 2013.

Referring to the immigration situation Ferrero-Waldner, said ‘the flux of migrants reaching Libya and the EU is a cause of increasing concern for both sides. I will therefore also raise this sensitive issue during my discussions in Libya with a view to identifying the most appropriate form of cooperation.’

Immigration has become a sensitive issue on the E.U. political platform; especially with countries such as Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta which are experiencing a strain from the influx of immigration.

Indeed, the four countries have sought more collaboration to build up a common front on this phenomenon.

Many immigrants, who later apply for a refugee status, come from Somalia, a country which for decades has been under the control of warlords leaving the government with little control over the country.

Just on Thursday, 105 Somalis, including 83 males and 22 females, arrived in Malta.

Libya is seen as crucial to the solution of immigration. Indeed, most of the immigrants depart from the Libyan coast.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that the ‘agreement will not only strengthen the EU-Libya relations, but also substantially contribute to Libya’s current policy of consolidating its position in the international community.’

More than 25 Commission officials from different services will participate in this round of negotiations.