Italy and Libya are to deepen economic cooperation, boost investment in the energy sector and re-launch cooperation through several infrastructure projects, including a coastal highway.
"Re-starting cooperation will also take place through the launch of several infrastructure projects, notably building a coastal highway and repairing airports to enable flight to resume,", Italy's premier Mario Draghi stated.
Speaking to reporters after a bilateral business forum in Rome and talks with his Libyan counterpart Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Draghi said the two leaders had agreed to "step up already intense cooperation in the energy field".
"We intend to consolidate our partnership in traditional sectors and to invest in the transformation of energy systems, within the framework of a memorandum of understanding that is being finalised," said Draghi.
Draghi and Dbeibah agreed on the need to propel investment and to overcome a number of credit issues, Draghi noted.
"Doing so would send powerful signal to business and restore full confidence," Draghi said.
Dbeibah said Italy and Libya (its former colony) have returned to "excellent and full bilateral relations" and have launched joint projects "at all levels and in all sectors".
Draghi's visit to Libya last month and Dbeibah's trip to Rome on Monday reflect a "shared" and "serious" desire to enhance ties, Dbeibah said.
"Libya wants to reinstate all its MoUs and agreements with Italy and broaden its commercial relations, as well as working together on renewable energy," Dbeibah stated.
