European and African leaders gathered in Libya on Wednesday for the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum, aiming to enhance cooperation and coordination in addressing the ongoing migration crisis. The forum seeks to develop a unified vision that strengthens sustainable economic and trade relations between Europe and Africa, according to Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah.
Prime Minister Dbeibah advocated for reallocating funds currently used to manage irregular migration towards financing development projects in African countries of origin. “Let us implement real projects that lead to the stability of the people of these countries in their regions,” he stated, as reported by the official Libyan News Agency (LANA).
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno highlighted the need to identify and address the root causes of irregular migration, stressing the importance of finding solutions while respecting human rights.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that resolving the migration issue is a priority for Italy, pointing out the necessity of intensifying efforts with regional countries due to the high number of irregular migrants.
Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela commended the Libyan government’s efforts in rescuing migrants and addressing irregular migration, calling for collective action to reduce migration and combat organised criminal networks.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission, expressed the European Union’s support for Libya in tackling migration, noting a decrease in the number of migrants crossing from Libya to Europe compared to five years ago.
The forum’s agenda, as outlined by LANA, includes enhancing border management, strengthening rescue and relief mechanisms for migrants, and providing necessary support to host countries.
Since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a significant departure point for African migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. This forum represents a crucial step towards a collaborative approach in addressing the complex challenges of migration across the Mediterranean.
