Malta and Italy are strong allies for growth and share a common battle against unemployment, especially youth unemployment, said Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Enrico Letta while addressing a press conference during Mr Letta’s official visit to Malta.

Dr Muscat spoke about the very fruitful discussion he enjoyed with Mr Letta about a number of very important topics; however the most important were the need to move from an austerity to a growth mind frame, joint oil exploration and immigration.

Dr Muscat also commented about the strong message conveyed by Mr Letta about the Italian EU Presidency. Dr Muscat added that Malta and Italy share a common vision; both believe that there has to be a fight against unemployment especially youth unemployment.

Mr Letta said that Italy and Malta aren’t only friends but also very strong allies for growth. The Italian Prime Minister added that there has to be a pro-growth legislature at a European level, especially after five years of pro-austerity legislature.

Dr Muscat and Mr Letta also spoke about the joint activity of oil exploration in the Mediterranean. Dr Muscat believes that over the past four months significant results have been achieved and he looks forward to a formal agreement in the coming weeks. Two delegations will be meeting for a third and hopefully final time in order to outline this agreement. Mr Letta hopes that this third meeting will finalise this common endeavour.

Finally, Dr Muscat and Mr Letta spoke about immigration. Dr Muscat said that this matter was discussed in “very concrete terms.” Dr Muscat said, “we look and consider each other essential partners at a European level.”

He added that “more definitely has to be done at a European level and that next month’s Home Affairs Ministers meeting and the European Council have to present short-term concrete measures on this issue.”

Dr Muscat said he discussed the “Libya Question” with Mr Letta. He said that Libya “must be involved in the handling of this problem”, while acknowledging the problems in Libya. Dr Muscat said that Libya cannot turn into a failed state.

Mr Letta thanked Dr Muscat and Malta for their collaboration during rescue operations. Mr Letta referred to the tragedy at Lampedusa which shocked the whole world and which could have been repeated several times had not Malta and Italy collaborated.

He said the “immigration needs a European solution and not a merely national solution.” Mr. Letta stressed that what is needed is a new policy in immigration with regards to third parties.

Dr Letta thanked Dr Muscat for Malta’s gesture of solidarity by its participation in the 2015 Expo which will be held in Milan.

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