Libya, Italy to strengthen cooperation

Libya and Italy started in Tripoli Tuesday talks for the development of their cooperation in the areas of education, scientific research and vocational training.

The meeting is being held in line with the Libyan-Italian joint declaration signed in July 1998.

Italian Minister of Education Luigi Berlinguer, stressed his Italy's will to strengthen and diversify cooperation with Libya in various areas, and voiced satisfaction at the development of relations between the two countries.

Relations between Libya and Italy improved following the 1998 signing of a joint declaration marking the start of a new era.

The agreement provides for the setting up, by Italy, of a Libyan-Italian company to support the Libyan economy in the execution of infrastructure and development projects.

Italian companies have just been awarded a major contract for the building of a gas pipeline to transport Libyan natural gas to Italy and several other European countries.

The president of the Italian Council, Massimo D'Alema, visited Libya in early December.