Russia eyes deeper economic engagement in Libya
Moscow hopes to play a growing role in Libya’s economy, health-care system and educational programs.
As Russia tries to wrap things up in Syria, it’s moving ahead with plans for Libya.
Managers of top international companies, national leaders and opinion-makers of all sorts gathered last week for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia. Among a dozen public and closed panels, one session was dedicated to Libya’s reintegration into the world economic system. The panel brought together the foreign minister for the Libyan Government of National Accord, Mohamed Siala, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the head of the Russian contact group for intra-Libyan resolution, Lev Dengov.
The meeting is perhaps indicative of Russia’s changing perception of Libya and its lengthy civil war. Moscow has long seen Libya’s situation as one of chaos resulting from the NATO-led intervention in 2011; as a result, Libya is unable to be integrated into the world economy. All this means that economic connections cannot be built and that high-level foreign officials generally cannot discuss anything substantial with Libyan representatives. If Libya is serious about building its future, and if Russia is to become a partner in that endeavor, they both must start working toward stability to develop trade and re-establish economic ties with others.
Libyan leaders appeared to be making progress in this effort at a May 29 summit in Paris.
