Monday, 25 May 2026
Greek PM calls for Libya cooperation to curb migration
BRUSSELS – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday called for Libya to work closely with Greece and the broader European community to stem the recent surge in migrants leaving the North African nation.
Recent months have seen a sharp rise in migrants arriving by sea from North Africa—including conflict-ridden Sudan—and the Middle East, according to Reuters.
In response, Greece announced on Monday the deployment of two frigates and an additional vessel near Libya’s territorial waters. The move aims to deter migrants from reaching the southern Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos.
“Before the start of the European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday, I will brief my colleagues on the marked increase in arrivals from eastern Libya and appeal for the European Commission’s immediate support to address this problem,” Mitsotakis stated.
He emphasized the need for Libyan authorities to partner with Greece to prevent migrants from setting sail or to intercept them before they leave Libyan waters.
Mitsotakis also revealed that early next month, the EU’s migration commissioner, alongside ministers from Italy, Greece, and Malta, will visit Libya for discussions on tackling the issue.
Since the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar Qaddafi, Libya has struggled with lawlessness, remaining fractured by internal conflict and divided into eastern and western regions for over a decade.