City
Epaper

'Libyan coastal patrols likely to stop without Italy'

By IANS | Updated: October 31, 2019 05:40 IST

Without support from Italy, Libyan coastguard patrols could cease, leading to more boat crossings, "tragedies at sea" and a worsened lot for migrants, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio has said.

Open in App

Since the February 2017 accord, the Italian government and the European Union have given the Libyan coastguard boats, training and other assistance, and just 2,722 migrants have landed this year against 107,212 in 2017, Di Maio said on Wednesday.

"Italy is the only effective partner of the Libyan authorities in the fight against human trafficking...pulling out of the accord would cause "political injury", Di Maio told members of the Senate.

The government is planning to "improve" an agreement between Italy and Libya on migration, with a focus on improving conditions at the North African country's migrant detention centres, he said.

"The government intends to improve the content of the memorandum of understanding with Libya on managing migrant flows and the fight against illegal immigration, giving special attention to the condition of migrant centres," Di Maio told lawmakers during question-time.

Pulling out of the MoU, which is set to be automatically renewed at the weekend unless one of the parties opts out, would cause "political injury", Di Maio said.

The February 2, 2017 memorandum of understanding is due to be automatically renewed at the weekend unless one of the parties opts out, Di Maio said.

In order to improve the MoU, especially in respect of the conditions in migrant detention centres in Libya, Di Maio said he would ask for the Italy-Libya Commission to convene.

"We must in particular encourage further involvement of the United Nations , civil society organisations and the international community to improve the help given to migrants rescued at sea and conditions in detention centres in Libya," Di Maio said.

Italy is working with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration and the European Commission to improve conditions in detention facilities in Libya, which is not a signature to the international convention on refugees, Di Maio noted.

"Italy continues to support the programme of voluntary repatriations from Libya run by the IOM and UNHCR and the creation of 'humanitarian corridors' to Europe," he said.

Italy is the only European country to have organised "direct humanitarian airlifts from Libya of especially vulnerable migrants," Di Maio concluded.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: LibyaDi MaioItalyeurope
Open in App

Related Stories

Social ViralToday’s Google Googly: Where Did the Arabic Numerals Originate? Find the Correct Answer Here

EntertainmentAfter Wrapping Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, Vikrant Massey to Jet Off to Europe for Family Time

InternationalBaba Vanga 2025 Prediction: War, Alien, Encounters and Telepathy

Social ViralMan Drinks Almost Seven Litres of Liquid Eggs in 60 Seconds, Sets Guinness World Record (Watch Video)

Social ViralSpain: Rare ‘Black Devil’ Anglerfish Spotted Near Tenerife Coast in Broad Daylight; Video Goes Viral

International Realted Stories

InternationalAxiom Mission 4 launch delayed again, NASA to announce new date soon

InternationalKremlin warns US against Iran strike, cautions of major escalation

InternationalUN report flags rise in security incidents, human rights concerns in Afghanistan

International"Signature must come from legitimate authorities," says Putin on possible peace deal with Zelensky

InternationalIraqi militia warns of strikes on US bases if Trump joins Iran-Israel war