Tripoli: The Minister of Transportation of the Government of National Unity, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, engaged in discussions with the French Ambassador to Libya, Thierry Vallat, focusing on strengthening cooperation in transportation and aviation sectors. The talks concentrated on reactivating the presence of French airlines at Libyan airports.
According to Libyan News Agency, the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Transportation headquarters in Tripoli, saw attendance from key figures including the Undersecretary for Air Transport Affairs, the Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Director of the Ministry's International Cooperation Office. Al-Shahoubi underscored the significance of fostering Libyan-French relations, particularly by involving French companies in governmental development projects and enhancing collaboration in the aviation sector.
Al-Shahoubi urged the French to assist in lifting the restrictions on Libyan airlines' access to European airspace. He also advocated for the establishment of training and maintenance centers in Libya to facilitate the return of French airlines to the region.
The discussion also turned to the matter of European visas, with Al-Shahoubi advocating for more efficient visa issuance processes for Libyan citizens. He emphasized the need for visas to be issued within Libya to alleviate the current requirement for Libyans to obtain them from other countries, which could positively influence air traffic between Libya and France.
The French Ambassador expressed France's eagerness to expand its presence in Tripoli, showing willingness to initiate meetings with civil aviation experts to perform necessary evaluations and audits. This step is intended to encourage French airlines to recommence operations at Libyan airports. The meeting fits into the broader strategy of the Ministry of Transportation to amplify international cooperation in the air transport sector, thus facilitating Libya's reintegration into the global air transport network.