By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL- On Saturday, Libya’s Minister of Transport Mohammed al-Shahoubi confirmed that Turkish Airlines (THY) will resume flights to and from Libya’s Mitiga Airport, 8 kilometers from Tripoli, beginning next week, later flights will gradually resume at Libya’s other airports, he added. He announced the news after signing a memorandum of understanding between Libya’s Civil Aviation Authority and Turkish Airlines after meeting all technical requirements. The resumption of flights marks a significant milestone after the airline suspended flights in 2015. As Libya’s current Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah commented on social media: “Alhamdulillah, Turkish Airlines will resume flights to Libya from next week, after an absence of nearly 10 years.” Libya and Turkiye’s historical and cultural ties run deep and resuming flights will make business between the two countries much easier. Turkiye was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Tripoli in September 2011 after the end of the civil war in the North African nation. Turkish President Erdogan’s government played a pivotal role in Libya’s current stability by contributing to institution building, most notably in the security and economic recovery after the war ended. Turkiye operates two consulates, one in Misrata and one in Tripoli besides being involved in a number of projects with Libya. One of those projects involves technical and vocational education, with Turkiye and Libya having signed a cooperation agreement in those sectors during a visit to Turkiye by the Libyan Minister of Technical Education Ikhilf Al-Sifaw who met Turkiye’s Minister of Education Yusuf Tekin in Ankara. Tekin had emphasized the historical and cultural ties between the two nations and reiterated Turkiye’s commitment to supporting Libya’s independence and security with educational cooperation as a crucial part of economic growth and sustainable development for Libya. Al-Sifaw underscored the strong bonds between both countries and said Libya can glean much expertise from Turkiye in the field of educational technology and vocational educational development.
On December 17, 2015, Turkiye and Libya signed the Libyan Political Agreement, posing a major basis for a long-term peace and stability in Libya. Turkiye had affirmed that it supports the U.N.-backed Government of National Unite (GNU) in its efforts to implement the agreement. Turkiye was one of the main supporters of the GNA now GNU, based in Tripoli and was steadfast in highlighting the importance of Libyan unity and solidarity. Dbeibah said THY’s resumption of flights demonstrates Libya’s stability and expressed his thanks to the Civil Aviation Authority and other related institutions in Libya that made the agreement possible. THY Chief Executive Officer Bilal Eksi said on social media: “Our flights to Libya are starting. We will operate 3 flights per week. Our flights are now open for sale,” lauding the ties between Libya and Turkiye. The Turkish government was instrumental in supporting the government of Tripoli when Khalifa Haftar’s offensive threatened to capture Tripoli about four years ago which led to the formation of the current Government of National Unity (GNU) that merged with the Tobruk-based government in eastern Libya.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Libyan officials in February this year to reaffirm Turkish support for the Libyan government as Fidan remarked: “I reiterated Turkiye’s support for the integrity, stability and prosperity of Libya.” Fidan met with Dbeibah who said he was grateful for Turkiye’s “supportive position towards stability in Libya and its role in endorsing international efforts in holding elections.” Both officials discussed a variety of issues during their February meeting as well as areas where the two countries could cooperate. Two main issues were regarding support for Gaza and holding elections in Libya. To that end, the two discussed possible cooperation on combating terrorism, particularly with regard to “migration and smuggling issues,” Fidan had said. Other issues discussed included security, economy, education and visas. At that time, they also discussed the resumption of THY flights to Libya.
