EU needs Turkish-style migration deal on Libya: Maltese PM – Yahoo News
By Gabriela Baczynska
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union needs to reach a deal on curbing the flow of migrants trying to sail on smugglers' boats from Libya to Italy, the prime minister of Malta, holder of the EU's rotating presidency, said on Wednesday.
Joseph Muscat said the new measures should have the same impact as an agreement struck with Turkey last year that cut the number of migrants and refugees reaching Europe from Turkish shores to below 390,000 from well over a million in 2015, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The treacherous voyage from North Africa to Italy is now the favored route. The IOM says more than 5,000 people died or went missing while crossing the Mediterranean last year, and at least 219 drowned in the first two weeks of this year alone.
"There is no doubt that unless the essence of the Turkey deal is replicated in the central Mediterranean, Europe will face a major migration crisis," Muscat told European lawmakers.
As current EU president, Malta will host a top-level meeting of the bloc's leaders - including British Prime Minister Theresa May - on Feb. 3 to agree a plan for averting a spring influx of people embarking from Libya.
Muscat, whose tiny island nation lies between Italy and Libya, said the priority was "breaking the business model of the criminal gangs making millions of euros out of this inhumane business".
Replicating the exact Turkish deal is impossible with Libya, where lawlessness has reigned since the country's long-standing, strongman leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed in 2011. This has allowed people smugglers to operate with impunity.
While Libya now has a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, it is weak and does not control its territory.
But diplomats in Brussels said migrants could be screened before leaving Libya, in camps run with EU funding by the IOM or the United Nations refugee agency. Muscat said the EU could then give safe passage for recognized asylum seekers.
Another key difference between Libya and Turkey is that those who risk the much shorter journey to the Greek islands in the Aegean are mostly Syrians who are fleeing a war and hence have strong chances for asylum in Europe.
For the Libya-Italy route, it is mostly economic migrants from impoverished sub-Saharan Africa who seek to get to much-wealthier Europe. Since they are not fleeing an immediate threat to their lives, EU states are not willing to take them in.
SUPPORT FOR LIBYA
The EU's naval mission in the Mediterranean is already training the Libyan coastguard - something the bloc's leaders agreed to step up last December - and targeting traffickers.
A Maltese document, seen by Reuters before it is discussed by EU envoys in Brussels on Thursday, proposes moving the mission closer to the shore and into Libyan territorial waters.
The EU failed to agree on that last year and, as an alternative, the paper proposes a "line of protection" much closer to the ports of origin. Libyan forces would take the lead, but with "strong and lasting EU support".
The proposal highlights the need to engage more with Libya's neighbors Egypt and Tunisia, including possibly on shutting supply routes carrying rubber boats or engines for smugglers.
EU diplomats say, however, that Cairo has so far put a high price tag on any additional help, after Turkey was promised up to 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion) under its 2016 migration deal with the bloc.
But the EU is determined to stop the arrivals from Libya and the bloc's foreign ministers are expected to invite Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to their next meeting in Brussels on Feb. 6 to discuss the matter.
The Maltese also propose increasing EU assistance in returning migrants from Libya to their home countries, beefing up the IOM camp in Agadez - a key transit point in Niger - and possibly setting up a similar one in Mali.
(Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Gareth Jones)
Read more from the original source:
EU needs Turkish-style migration deal on Libya: Maltese PM - Yahoo News
- Joint statement by the embassies of France, Italy, Germany, UK and USA on the independence of Libyas Audit Bureau - Libya Herald - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Iraq and Libya Stress the Need to Unify Efforts to Support Stability and Security in the Region - ina.iq - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Diversifying Libyas economy: Six opportunities through Three Horizons - Libya Herald - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- LBBC and NOC announce the London Libya Bid Round Roadshow to be held on 7 April - Libya Herald - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Former UN envoy Stephanie Williams to publish new book on Libyas post-Gaddafi era - The Libya Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- I want to feel the pride of playing for Ghana - Richard Boadu on rejecting Libya nationality switch - GhanaWeb - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- UN raises alarm over wave of 'arbitrary' arrests in Libya - The Times of India - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- MSC announces price increases in shipping from Far East to Libya - Libya Herald - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Libya, France discuss strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation - The Libya Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Al-Haddad discusses security cooperation with British Military Attach - The Libya Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Ministry of Health warns of circulation of counterfeit cancer drug in Libya - The Libya Observer - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The illicit oil trade that is keeping Libya divided - Financial Times - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- The UN has opened up Libya to foreign meddling and foreign fighters - Middle East Monitor - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Libya face Australia Do Not Travel Warning: What It Mean for the... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Libya: Escalating Hate Speech, Xenophobia, and Violence - World Organisation Against Torture - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- South Sudan Joins Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Libya, Ukraine, Central African Republic, and Haiti on US Do Not Travel List What The New Advisory Means... - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Libya Is the Forgotten Wasteland of the International Order - Democracy for the Arab World Now - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- The UN is responsible for the division in Libya - Atalayar EN - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Economy Minister Hwej says Libyas corruption is exaggerated by the media and those who talk about it are conducting a war against the nation - Libya... - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Libya-China Ties Strengthen as Online Visa Applications Launch for Libyans Starting This March - Travel And Tour World - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- USAID informs partners in North Africa of its withdrawal from all joint projects - The Libya Observer - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Libya denies reports of plans to resettle immigrants within country - Social News XYZ - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Human traffickers seized in two operations south of Kufra - The Libya Observer - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Libya announces first bidding round for oil exploration in 17 years - Reuters - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Russias Libya Push Should Alarm The U.S. And Europe - The National Interest Online - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Around 112 migrants rescued off the coast of Libya reach Tuscany in Central Italy - Euronews - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Flights with Qatar to resume in October - Libya Herald - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- France affirms its support for the SRSG for Libya - France ONU - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- French President Macron receives Haftar in Paris with an eye on eastern Libya - The Arab Weekly - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- UN envoy to Libya: Ramadan is opportunity for reconciliation - The Libya Observer - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- UNICEF Reaffirms its Commitment to Vulnerable Children and Families in Southeastern Libya During Mission to Kufra [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Al-Lafi urges for media cooperation between Africa and Turkey - The Libya Observer - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Bodies of 12 Pakistanis who died when their boat sank off Libya repatriated to Pakistan - Yahoo - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Julyana Free Zone to receive 60 commercial and oil vessels in February 2025 - Libya Herald - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Campaigner for migrants in Libya targeted in spyware attack - The Guardian - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Bodies of migrants recovered in Libya, authorities say - BBC.com - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Two mass graves of migrants uncovered in Libya - UN News - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- 2 mass graves with bodies of nearly 50 migrants found in southeastern Libya - The Associated Press - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Libya: Migrants Face Violence and Exclusion From Healthcare - Genocide Watch - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Libya finds two mass graves with bodies of nearly 50 migrants, refugees - Al Jazeera English - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- At least 16 Pakistani nationals dead and ten missing after migrant boat sinks off Libya - InfoMigrants - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Mass Graves of Migrants Discovered in Libya as Crackdown on Smuggling Intensifies - OCCRP - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: Egypt urged to stop abusing people on the move Two mass graves uncovered in Libya Tunisian authorities accused of state... - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Mass graves holding bodies of migrants discovered in Libya - Semafor - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Bodies of migrants recovered in southeast Libya, attorney general says - Reuters.com - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Bodies of dozens of migrants found in two mass graves in Libya - Euronews - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Pakistan's PM grieves over deaths of migrants from his country in a boat sinking near Libya - ABC News - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Libya 8th most corrupt state in the world according to the latest index for 2024 - Libya Herald - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- 12 youth hostels inaugurated as part of GNU's "Return of Life" project - The Libya Observer - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Moscow denies bombing sites in southern Libya - The Libya Observer - February 16th, 2025 [February 16th, 2025]
- Crossings at Libyan Tunisian Wazin Dehiba land border up to 1.1 million in 2024 - Libya Herald - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Indian embassy in Libya facilitates return of 18 Indian nationals - The Tribune India - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Libya: Almost 30 migrant bodies retrieved in one day - InfoMigrants - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Italy justice minister defends decision to release alleged war criminal to Libya - JURIST - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Libya and Morocco sign MoU on fisheries and aquaculture - Libya Herald - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Libya prepares 4,000 tons of aid to ship to Gaza - Yahoo! Voices - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- The Ministry of Economy hosts a workshop on the General Framework of Green Investment in Libya - Libya Herald - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Brega imports large quantities of domestic gas cylinders - being distributed in time for Ramadan - Libya Herald - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- Bodies of 29 migrants recovered in Libya - The National - February 7th, 2025 [February 7th, 2025]
- At Sarkozy's trial, the improbable story of Bashir Saleh's exfiltration from Libya - Le Monde - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- UNSMIL says Advisory Committee is neither decision-making nor dialogue body - The Libya Observer - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- CBL, HoR discuss 2025 budget, spending controls - The Libya Observer - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Finlands Ambassador to Libya seeks stronger cooperation and investment opportunities - The Libya Observer - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Critic of Italy-Libya migration pact told he was target of Israeli spyware - The Guardian - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- After more than ten years, Libya settles debts and recovers ships from Malta - Libya Herald - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Presidency Council head Menfi calls for referendum by Libyan people on contentious points of draft constitution - Libya Herald - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Foreign Minister in Tunisia to discuss strengthening economic partnership - The Libya Observer - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Libya to host window 2 qualifiers of AfroBasket 2025 - The Libya Observer - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Italys Meloni says she is being investigated over release of Libya suspect - Al Jazeera English - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Italy, Libya, and the Failure of State Cooperation with the International Criminal Court in the Elmasry Arrest Case - Just Security - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Libya expresses condolences for victims of Washington plane-helicopter collision - The Libya Observer - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Ethiopian woman freed after brutal captivity in Libya warns migrants to stay home - Hiiraan Online - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Libyan and Tunisian dates companies meet in Sebha to explore international export cooperation - Libya Herald - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Nicolas Sarkozy Goes on Trial on Charges of Illegal Campaign Funding From Libya - The New York Times - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Libya is now the launchpad for Russias renewed ambitions - Arab News - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- France's Sarkozy tells trial he never received campaign funding from Libya - Euronews - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- The Unintended Consequences of US Intervention in Libya - The Daily Economy - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Libya: Weak Core, Strong Core, for the end of Disorder in the Maghreb - Morocco World News - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Lessons from Iraq, Libya, and Syria: Resistance, Betrayal, and Collapse - CounterPunch - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]
- Sudan Situation: Sudanese Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Libya (as of 05 Jan 2025) - ReliefWeb - January 11th, 2025 [January 11th, 2025]