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German foreign minister guarded on Libyan billion-dollar demand
Sep 3, 2010, 10:22 GMT
Valletta, Malta - In a guarded response, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Friday Libya's demand for an annual 5 billion euros (6.4 billion dollars))from the European Union to curb illegal migration to Europe should be solved in a bilateral way.
Speaking after talks with his Maltese counterpart Tonio Borg, Westerwelle said: 'It was a request by a head of state of an important country and we will look into it.'
Malta has supported Libyan President Moammer Gaddafi's request, made on Monday during a state visit to Italy, for the payment to stop illegal immigrants from Africa entering the EU through its southern border.
'It is the EU's common interest and responsibility to solve this in a bilateral way,' Westerwelle said.
Talks between Borg and Westerwelle also focused on Kosovo's declaration of independence which was recognized by both countries. Germany was one of the first EU countries to recognise Kosovo's independence in 2008.
Westerwelle said it was necessary to close the chapter on the territorial integrity of the states in the western Balkans for lasting peace.
Borg said Malta would support Kosovo's independence at the UN general assembly meeting this month. The UN is expected to discuss a resolution submitted by Serbia, which still lays claim to the territory.
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