Latest news with #Brunner
Libya Review
a day ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
EU Calls for Firm Measures in Libya to Halt Migrant Boats
European Union Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has announced a decisive shift in the EU's approach toward Libya in response to a marked rise in migrant crossings through the Central Mediterranean. Speaking at a conference in Athens on Tuesday, Brunner underscored that Libya has become a primary concern as the number of boats departing Libyan shores grows. 'Libya is at the top of our agenda,' he emphasized. 'We will travel to Libya next week because swift and firm action is necessary.' Brunner disclosed that he will visit Libya next week alongside senior officials from Greece, Italy, and Malta. The delegation's objective is clear: to pressure Libyan authorities into bolstering measures that prevent migrant boats from leaving their ports. By engaging both factions of Libya's divided government—including the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in the west and the rival eastern administration—the EU delegation aims to close gaps in migration control stemming from the country's political fragmentation. The trip is part of a broader EU strategy to stabilize migration flows and reduce fatalities at sea. In recent months, the International Organization for Migration and other humanitarian agencies have reported a dramatic increase in departures from Libya, often on flimsy vessels. These irregular crossings have resulted in countless tragedies and created heightened political tension in European countries, particularly those on the Mediterranean's southern edge. Brunner's hardline language reflects mounting public and political pressure in Europe to tackle migration. EU member states such as Italy, Greece, and Malta have demanded stronger cooperation from Libya, through measures like enhanced coastal patrols, accelerated interception of unseaworthy boats, and tighter regulation of departure points. The upcoming mission is expected to pave the way for greater border security, extended training for Libyan coast guards, and expanded engagement with North African partners. However, challenges remain. Libya's ongoing political division slows coordination and weakens enforcement mechanisms. Brunner's mission must navigate these complexities and convince both administrations to commit to joint action. The EU likely aims to back its diplomatic push with financial support, technical assistance, and contingency plans for refugee processing. Tags: eueuropelibyaMediterraneanmigration
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
EU and Greece to press Libya on migrant crossings as numbers surge
The European Union's commissioner for migration says Europe will take a "firm" approach with authorities in Libya following a spike in illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Commissioner Magnus Brunner plans to travel to Libya next week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta, seeking tougher measures from Libyan authorities to stop boats carrying migrants from leaving for Europe. "That is actually a question which bothers us quite a lot at the moment. Libya is, of course, at the top of the agenda and we're traveling together to Libya next week because we have to be fast, I think, and firm," Brunner said at a conference in Athens on Tuesday. Brunner, who discussed the upcoming visit at a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said the delegation would meet with representatives from both the United Nations-recognised government in western Libya and the rival authority in the east. Libya has been divided for years between rival administrations in the east and west, each backed by armed groups and foreign governments. Greece recently announced plans to send warships to international waters in the region following a surge in crossings from Libya to the southern Greek island of Crete, a more perilous route than the more frequently used passage between Turkey and nearby Greek islands. In 2023, hundreds died when the fishing trawler Adriana, carrying migrants from Libya to Italy, sank in waters off Greece. Libya is a key departure point for dangerous sea crossings to Europe and severe human rights abuses of refugees and migrants, including torture, have been widely documented in the country. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said that in 2021, 32,400 refugees and migrants had made the crossing from Libya to Europe, more than twice as many as in 2020. In April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to increase staffing for Frontex, the EU's external border and coastguard agency, by 30,000, a number that could provide a significant boost in its mission to secure Europe's external borders.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Greece, EU to press Libya on migrant crossings as Mediterranean numbers surge
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Union 's commissioner for migration says Europe will take a 'firm' approach with authorities in Libya following a spike in illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Commissioner Magnus Brunner plans to travel to Libya next week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta, seeking tougher measures from Libyan authorities to stop boats carrying migrants from leaving for Europe. 'That is actually a question which bothers us quite a lot at the moment. Libya is, of course, at the top of the agenda, and we're traveling together to Libya next week because we have to be fast, I think, and firm,' Brunner said Tuesday at a conference in Athens. Brunner, who discussed the upcoming visit at a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said the delegation would meet with representatives from both the United Nations-recognized government in western Libya and a rival authority in the east. Greece recently announced plans to send warships to international waters in the region following a surge in crossings from Libya to the southern Greek island of Crete — a more perilous route than the more frequently used passage between Turkey and nearby Greek islands. In 2023, hundreds died when the fishing trawler Adriana, carrying migrants from Libya to Italy, sank off Greek waters. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Greece, EU to press Libya on migrant crossings as Mediterranean numbers surge
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Union 's commissioner for migration says Europe will take a 'firm' approach with authorities in Libya following a spike in illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Commissioner Magnus Brunner plans to travel to Libya next week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta, seeking tougher measures from Libyan authorities to stop boats carrying migrants from leaving for Europe. 'That is actually a question which bothers us quite a lot at the moment. Libya is, of course, at the top of the agenda, and we're traveling together to Libya next week because we have to be fast, I think, and firm,' Brunner said Tuesday at a conference in Athens. Brunner, who discussed the upcoming visit at a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said the delegation would meet with representatives from both the United Nations-recognized government in western Libya and a rival authority in the east. Greece recently announced plans to send warships to international waters in the region following a surge in crossings from Libya to the southern Greek island of Crete — a more perilous route than the more frequently used passage between Turkey and nearby Greek islands. In 2023, hundreds died when the fishing trawler Adriana, carrying migrants from Libya to Italy, sank off Greek waters. ___ Follow AP's global migration coverage at
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Greece, EU to press Libya on migrant crossings as Mediterranean numbers surge
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Union 's commissioner for migration says Europe will take a 'firm' approach with authorities in Libya following a spike in illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Commissioner Magnus Brunner plans to travel to Libya next week with government representatives from Greece, Italy and Malta, seeking tougher measures from Libyan authorities to stop boats carrying migrants from leaving for Europe. 'That is actually a question which bothers us quite a lot at the moment. Libya is, of course, at the top of the agenda, and we're traveling together to Libya next week because we have to be fast, I think, and firm,' Brunner said Tuesday at a conference in Athens. Brunner, who discussed the upcoming visit at a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said the delegation would meet with representatives from both the United Nations-recognized government in western Libya and a rival authority in the east. Greece recently announced plans to send warships to international waters in the region following a surge in crossings from Libya to the southern Greek island of Crete — a more perilous route than the more frequently used passage between Turkey and nearby Greek islands. In 2023, hundreds died when the fishing trawler Adriana, carrying migrants from Libya to Italy, sank off Greek waters. ___ Follow AP's global migration coverage at
