«Not only patrol boats, we need to create jobs»- Corriere.it

“To decrease the human tide, we need to adopt a holistic strategy and work so that people have a perspective in the country in which they live”. Najla el Mangoushfirst woman to hold the position of foreign minister in Libya, has very clear ideas. “Our effort must be aimed at implementing measures in Libya as in the rest of the Mediterranean and African countries,” he says in this interview with Corriere della Sera
on the sidelines of the Med Dialogues in Rome. He also discussed migration with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani who then announced a visit to Libya.

Could his plan be summed up with the slogan “let’s help them at home”?

“Absolutely. Migrants are looking for a better life, they dream of Europe. Let us ask ourselves how we can help these nations economically so that they give opportunities to the new generations”.

What are the obstacles?
“There is no political will to do so because it requires patience and planning. We should sit around a table, even with the European Union, and review our strategies which cannot be limited to patrol boats or the coast guard. We create job offers, we build homes for young Africans. If we do this, illegal immigration will decrease in 5 or 6 years».

Libya has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations in its treatment of migrants. What does it reply?
«Human rights are important, I am against any violation of them and our government is working to ensure that they are respected. You must also understand that some of these people have been held hostage by the international mafia. People using our land for human trafficking. However, the issue is delicate. You can’t just go to a country and accuse it of violations. If you really want to improve the situation, instead of criticizing, you should work with the locals, understand their culture, show what is the difference between treating people with dignity or violating their rights. Many Libyans struggle to survive and so when it comes to migrants they say: I’ll come first. I also haven’t had a good relationship with human rights activists: they always attack, they don’t listen, they don’t understand the culture, the language, they wear their western clothes and they criticize».

Has progress been made for women in Libya?

«The government of national unity has five female ministers: for Justice, for Social Affairs, for Culture and for Equal Opportunities, as well as myself. This is definitely progress if you look at the situation in other Arab countries but also in the rest of the world. I always encourage all women to believe in themselves and not to be afraid.”

How do you define relations between Libya and Italy?
«Italy is one of the countries closest to us in the Mediterranean. We have always had excellent relationships and shared goals. I’m sure we’ll have stronger and stronger relationships.”

The long-awaited elections have not yet been held.

“The government is not responsible for this failure. It is up to the House of Representatives and the Higher Council of State to provide the constitutional basis for voting. We urge these two entities to do their job but, evidently, there is someone who does not want to go and vote in order to stay in power longer”.

Egypt and Greece contested your deal with Turkey on oil and gas. Will you be drilling in the Turkish Exclusive Zone?

“We are a sovereign country and we have the right to make agreements that we deem beneficial with whoever we want.”