Foreign Minister Najla Al-Manqoush, has agreed with the Italian and Maltese foreign ministers, as well as the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy Oliver Farrelly, to cooperate in securing Libya's southern borders.

In a joint press conference with the EU officials in Tripoli, Al-Manqoush said that Libya is suffering from the migration crisis.

"We have sensed the seriousness of the European Commissioner, along with the Italian and Maltese ministers, and stressed that the Coast Guard must be part of the strategy to fight the phenomenon, not the solution," Al-Manqoush said.

For his part, the European Commissioner indicated that the EU set this year an ambitious agenda to restore relations with its neighbours on the other side of the Mediterranean.

"Libya is heading towards security and safety and needs a strong economy," Farrelly said, stressing the EU's readiness to work with Libya for its security and development.

He also addressed the illegal immigration issue, which he said is undermining Libya's stability.

Meanwhile, the Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo emphasized that his country stands along with the international community in support of the Government of National Unity in this sensitive stage. "Despite the differences of views on this region, we have agreed to support Libya," the Maltese Ambassador said

On his part, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio stressed the necessity to strengthen security ties with Libya. "We are committed to long-term stability and development in this region," Di Maio said.

The top Italian diplomat revealed that his country had prepared a series of proposals to re-launch the EU-Libyan relations, stressing readiness to cooperate in investments and strengthen partnerships to confront illegal immigration.

The three European officials arrived in Tripoli on Friday, where they met with Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah before holding a meeting with Foreign Minister Najla Al-Manqoush, Interior Minister Khaled Mazen, and several other ministers and government officials.