Romania has to recover a debt of USD 60 million from Libya, stemming from 70s and 80s contracts on weapons exports and construction works carried on by Romania companies in Libya. The European Parliament will send a delegation to Libya in November to discuss matters of international security, as well as the country's external debt, which is of USD 3.3 billion.

“We hope the new Libyan Government has a concrete and positive attitude towards its foreign debt, so that Romania recovers its debt in the shortest period. Given the situation in this country, it would be indicated to take into account installments,” said Petru Luhan, vice-coordinator of the subcommission for security and defense in the European Parliament.

Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi, who has been leading the country for 40 years, was overthrown from power in August this year after a six-month struggle. The country now has a transitional Government and has recently been visited by Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.

The situation in Libya was on the European Parliament's agenda during the September 12-16 plenary. MEPs called for Syria's President Bashar al Assad to step down immediately in a resolution Thursday. They also welcomed the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year regime and called on Libya's National Transitional Council to manage national resources for the benefit of all Libyans, according to the European Parliament.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Sxc.hu)