Brussels, 18/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The diplomatic crisis between Switzerland and Libya, which prompted Tripoli to suspend granting visas to nationals of all countries of the Schengen Area this week (EUROPE 10080), has not yet been defused, although progress was made when the two foreign ministers met on Thursday 18 February in Madrid under the aegis of the EU, said Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. “We did move forward but I cannot hide the fact that the situation is strained between the Swiss and Libyan authorities”, said Moratinos speaking to the press after the meeting between Micheline Calmy-Rey and Moussa Koussa. “Both parties are determined to find a definitive solution to the dispute”, he added. Talks between Koussa and Calmy-Rey continued at the end of the day.
The question will also appear on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council to be held on Monday 22 February in Brussels under the chairmanship of Catherine Ashton. (H.B./transl.jl)