RABAT (MOROCCO) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Belgium considers the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 as “a serious and credible effort on the part of the Kingdom and as a good basis for a solution accepted by the parties”. This is what emerged in the joint declaration adopted during the third meeting of the Morocco-Belgium Joint Partnership High Commission, co-chaired by the Moroccan Head of Government and the Belgian Prime Minister, as reported by the MAP (Agence Marocaine de Presse).
According to the official statement, De Croo reaffirmed “Belgium’s long-standing support for the United Nations-led process for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties and reaffirm the support for UN Security Council Resolution 2703 (2023), which emphasizes on the role and responsibility of the parties in seeking a realistic, pragmatic and lasting agreement and a political solution based on compromise.” .
Belgium thus joins the 16 countries of the European Union that recognize the autonomy initiative, including Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, while the Moroccan sovereignty of Western Sahara has been recognized by many countries including the United States and all Arab countries, except Algeria.
More than thirty African and Latin American countries have opened consular representations in the cities of Layoun and Dakhla in the Sahara territory.

– Photo MAP –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MILANO (ITALPRESS) – Milan Bergamo Airport is delighted to celebrate a record number of flights and capacity to North Africa, underscoring its commitment towards emerging markets, as well as fostering and expanding its reach beyond Europe to regions further afield. Nile Air will become the latest carrier to enhance connectivity, initiating three weekly flights between Milan Bergamo and Cairo starting 28 June. Utilising a modern fleet of 164-seat Airbus A320 aircraft on the route, Nile Air will offer passengers a comfortable and reliable travel experience. Flights will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, providing travellers with increased flexibility when planning their itineraries. This service not only facilitates nonstop travel to Egypt’s historic capital but also offers convenient onward connections to several destinations in the Gulf. North Africa holds immense importance for Milan Bergamo Airport, serving as a thriving market for tourism, family visits, and burgeoning business opportunities. This year, a record number of seven airlines are operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, offering over 660,000 seats to travellers. This figure represents a notable 48% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and is up almost 10% year-over-year, showcasing the robust growth trajectory of the airport’s North African routes. Morocco and Egypt emerge as focal points in Milan Bergamo’s North Africa coverage, with flights catering to diverse travel needs and preferences. While the airport has been facilitating flights to North Africa for decades, the notable growth began in 2008 when Ryanair introduced services to Fez in Morocco. Subsequently, the entry of Air Arabia Maroc with its Casablanca service in 2009 further bolstered connectivity. Served by Air Arabia, Air Arabia Maroc and Air Arabia Egypt, Milan Bergamo is the only airport in Europe to claim all three airlines of the group on its carrier rollcall. This summer, the group has notable coverage of the North Africa region with flights from Milan Bergamo Airport to Alexandria, Cairo, and Casablanca. Air Arabia Egypt will continue to offer the largest number of flights and capacity to Cairo throughout the 2024 summer season. Complementing Nile Air, Ryanair and the Air Arabia group in serving North Africa from Milan Bergamo Airport are AlbaStar, TUI, Neos and Malta Med Air, which provide leisure flights in cooperation with tour operators. Moreover, Ryanair further reinforces its commitment to North Africa by introducing a new two weekly service to Beni Mellal in north-central Morocco, commencing on 1 June. Milan Bergamo Airport offers passengers ten unique destinations across North Africa, including six in Morocco and four in Egypt. Travellers can opt for a nonstop service from Milan Bergamo to Agadir, Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier in Morocco, as well as Alexandria, Cairo, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Giacomo Cattaneo, Director of Commercial Aviation, SACBO, said: “The growing connectivity between Milan Bergamo Airport and North Africa is a testament to the strategic importance of this region for our airport. We recognise the immense potential that North Africa holds in terms of tourism, business, and cultural exchanges. The record number of airlines operating between Milan Bergamo and North Africa, along with the substantial increase in seat capacity, highlights our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of travellers. We are confident that our partnership with airlines, coupled with the attractiveness of North African destinations, will fuel further expansion in the coming years”. As Milan Bergamo Airport continues to strengthen its foothold in North Africa, travellers can look forward to enhanced connectivity and diverse travel options that fit all types of passengers and budgets. Milan Bergamo Airport will continue to play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless travel between Italy and North Africa, unlocking new opportunities for passengers, and contributing to the region’s economic development.

 

Foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese nationals are among various suspects from Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Jordan, the United States and Venezuela involved in an international Ponzi scheme, which allegedly made money by selling medical cannabis. The scheme defrauded €645 million between early 2020 to July 2022, and had a total of 550,000 participants globally, although only 186,000 transferred money in the scheme. Most of the participants were European.
The medical cannabis platform used was called Juicyfields where investors could invest a minimum of €50 to be linked with producers of medical cannabis. The cannabis would then be sold to authorised sellers. The company pledged returns of 100% or more, but did not reveal how they would accomplish this or be able to guarantee it. It was advertised as connecting investors to producers of medical cannabis.
In July 2022, the company shut down without any explanation. The company’s social media accounts shut down and investors where unable to login and withdraw funds from the platform. When investors tried to contact the company by email, they were alerted that the email address no longer existed.
A number of court cases were filed against the company, and, eventually investigations by various national as well as European authorities. In Germany, France and Spain alone, over 4 500 victims lodged formal complaints with the relevant authorities.
The Malta Police Force, among other authorities including Europol, Eurojust and national authorities from various countries, participated in the investigations.
A Russian national, suspected to have been one of the main organisers of the scheme, was traced to a residence in the Dominican Republic. Officials from the authorities of the Dominican Republic, assisted by the Spanish investigation, search his property to gather evidence.
The investigation led to the freezing or seizure of €4,700,000 in bank accounts, €1,515,000 in cryptocurrencies, €106,000 in cash and €2,600,000 in real estate assets. Several luxury vehicles, works of art, cash and various luxury items, electronic devices and documents were also seized as part of the investigation.

– foto: Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today had a telephone conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
In this regard, the deputy prime minister declared: “I appealed to my Iranian colleague for moderation. We cannot risk an escalation in an extremely volatile phase like the current one. All regional actors must demonstrate responsibility. Italy remains on the front line, also as G7 Presidency, to avoid an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, to decrease the tension and to facilitate dialogue. What we are experiencing is a decisive moment to return to a dynamic peace in the region.”
Tajani also invited his colleague to exercise a moderating influence towards Iran’s allies in the region, thus contributing to the start of a process that can guarantee renewed security and stability in the area.
“Today’s phone call is part of the Government’s broader efforts aimed at avoiding a regionalization of the ongoing conflict. In this sense, the commitment of the Italian troops in Lebanon continues as part of the UNIFIL mission, as well as that made in the Aspides mission to defend the freedom of traffic of Italian ships and of all Italian merchant traffic”, said the statement issued from the Farnesina.

– Photo Agenzia Fotogramma –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) (ITALPRESS) – A Maltese court has ordered the police in Malta to start extradition proceedings to bring an Italian citizen, G.R., 31, to face drug trafficking charges. Russo, a cafè owner, is from Naples and he was residing in St Paul’s Bay.
G.R. failed to appear for a court session, and this led the Magistrate to order the police to do “anything allowed by law”.
G.R. who is believed is in Italy, was arrested in December 2021 after being found in possession of cocaine and cannabis. He was stopped while driving in Naxxar, and cocaine, cannabis, cash and two mobile phones were found in a bag during police search. The police conducted another search at his house and two garages in Msida, and found some 1.5 kilos of cocaine and 15 kilos of cannabis worth over €450,000. Further €250,000 in cash was also found. The accused pleaded not guilty to trafficking and aggravated possession of cocaine and cannabis as well as other charges including money laundering. He was granted bail in February of 2022 following his third attempt.

– Foto: Polizia Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – While the European Parliament has voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental rights with 336 votes in favour, 163 against and 39 abstentions, the text of the adopted resolution calls on Malta and Poland to repeal their laws and other measures that ban and restrict it. Changing the EU Charter of Fundamental rights to include abortion would require unanimous agreement from all member states. In the run-up to Malta’s accession to the European Union, the then Nationqlist government had negotiated robust safeguards to ensure that such matters would not be forced on the Maltese people against their will, in particular through Protocol 7 to the Accession Treaty. Two Labour MEPs voted against the whole text, as did the Nationalist MEP. Meanwhile, another PL MEP abstained. Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola has not participate in votes since becoming EP president. On the specific clause concerning abortion in Malta and Poland, all the Labour MEPs present voted against, as did the Nationalist MEP. Abortion in Malta is still a hotly debated subject. Last year, government tried to pass a bill which would introduce two very limited exceptions to the Criminal Code by which doctors would be allowed to terminate a pregnancy if a woman’s life or health are in danger. Opposition from the Nationalist Party and various NGOs led the government to introduce an amended bill allowing abortion only if the woman’s life is at risk. Prime Minister Robert Abela has called for politicians to take a step back in discusisons on abortion, following President Myriam Spiteri Debono’s statement where she described a referendum as the fairest way forward on the subject. “I believe that the country cannot keep sweeping this discussion under the rug,” said Abela, while urging for a discussion to move forward, “in a structured manner.”

Foto: agenzia Fotogramma

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya confirmed that a total of 567 migrants were intercepted and forcibly returned to Libyan shores in the span from March 31 to April 6, 2024. Two days ago, 83 migrants were abducted from Maltàs search and rescue zone. The international NGO Alarm Phone was alerted that a boat was adrift in Maltàs SAR region. Instead of being rescued to safety they were forcibly intercepted by the Libyan coastguard. This situation contributes to the increasing number of migrants who face the perilous journey across the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe, only to be turned back to Libya, the very starting point of their desperate voyage. The IOM’s report highlights the continuous and complex crisis in the region, emphasizing the dangerous conditions migrants endure during their sea journeys, as well as the precarious circumstances they encounter once returned to Libya.
The situation has drawn widespread international concern, with human rights organizations and the international community calling for immediate actions to ensure the safety and rights of migrants. The IOM and other humanitarian organizations argue that returning migrants to Libya exposes them to further risks, including human rights abuses, arbitrary detention, and lack of access to basic services and protection. The IOM is monitoring the situation closely, advocating for policy changes and increased support to manage the migration crisis more humanely and effectively. As efforts to find lasting solutions continue, the plight of migrants in Libya remains a poignant testament to the broader challenges facing global migration today.

foto: Agenzia Fotogramma

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron have called for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza and the release of “all hostages”. They also warned Israel of the “dangerous consequences” of an attack it plans to carry out in Rafah.
The three leaders wrote an editorial published by 4 newspapers: the French “Le Monde”, the American “Washington Post”, the Jordanian “Al-Rai” and the Egyptian “Al-Ahram”. “The war in Gaza and the catastrophic human suffering it is causing must end now,” reads the leaders’ article, who add: “In light of the unbearable human losses, we call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of resolution no. 2728 of the Security Council”.
The three leaders also underlined “the urgent need to implement the Security Council’s request for the immediate release of all hostages” held in Gaza. In their opinion, the attack that Israel intends to launch in Rafah “will only bring more death and suffering, increase the risks and consequences of the mass forced displacement of the Gaza population and threaten regional escalation”.

– Photo Ipa Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Italy Youssef Balla received the President of FederPetroli Italia Michele Marsiglia at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rome. According to an official statement, Marseille expressed to Ambassador Balla “the closeness of the Italian energy industry to Morocco, in particular after the tragedy that saw the North African country affected by the strong earthquake last year”.

During the meeting, great emphasis was made on Maroccòs contribution to the energy transition policies, opening up its investments to the different available forms of renewable energy and to green hydrogen, without neglecting traditional fossil ones.

It was also stated that the meeting, “focused on strengthening bilateral, commercial and industrial relations between the two countries and the involvement of companies interested in Moroccan projects. The Mattei Plan for Africa as proposed by the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the numerous investments planned for the African continent were also discussed”.

During the meeting, President Marseille and Ambassador Balla had “an exchange of views on the world energy sector, with particular focus on the delicate situation in the Middle East and the upcoming scenarios in the Mediterranean”.

– Photo Federpetroli press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese justice system was slammed once again, this time in the case of the ‘El Hiblu 3’ – three African young migrants who prevented an unlawful pushback to Libya while on board the El Hiblu oil tanker, and instead are accused by the Maltese authorities of having led a hijack of a commercial vessel, the El Hiblu, that had rescued them and other asylum seekers at sea. The migrants are insisting they just acted as interpreters, because they could communicate with the captain in English and French. Their case has received international attention and become the centre of awareness campaigns in Malta and abroad. Former President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said she was “disgusted” by the way the Maltese authorities had ignored the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and thrown children into jail. “The case of Amara, Kader and Abdallah is a clear violation of children’s human rights,” Coleiro Preca said at a demonstration in Valletta infront of the law courts to mark five years since their arrest. The former president is among those leading calls for Maltese prosecutors to drop terrorism charges against Amara Kromah, Kader Abdul and Abdalla Bari, who were children when they were first arrested and detained in March 2019. The three at the age of 15, 16 and 19, had managed to calm a tense situation aboard the ship.
They spent months in jail before being granted bail. Last November, the attorney general decided to move ahead and take the case to trial. If found guilty, they face up to a lifetime in jail. (ITALPRESS).

Foto: Net News

Source: medNews